NEWS
Iran Government Condemns “Blatant U.S. Double Standards” After Border Patrol Shoots Minneapolis Protester, Citing Donald Trump’s Earlier Threat to Intervene Militarily Over Similar Protester Deaths in Iran
Iran Condemns U.S. After Border Patrol Shoots Minneapolis Protester, Citing Trump’s Threats Against Tehran
Minneapolis, MN / Tehran — January 25, 2026
Iran’s government strongly condemned the United States on Saturday following the shooting of a protester by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Iranian Foreign Ministry criticized the killing as a “blatant display of hypocrisy,” pointing to recent statements by former President Donald Trump threatening military action against Tehran if Iranian authorities caused the deaths of protesters.

“The United States cannot lecture the world on human rights while its own security forces take lethal action against citizens exercising their right to peaceful protest,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry said in an official statement. “The tragic events in Minneapolis reveal the double standards Washington applies when it comes to human rights and protester safety.”
The shooting occurred amid ongoing demonstrations in Minneapolis over local political and social grievances. Witnesses report that federal agents, deployed under a national security mandate, used live ammunition to disperse protesters, resulting in at least one fatality and several injuries.
Iranian officials noted the timing of the Minneapolis shooting, highlighting that it comes only weeks after Trump publicly warned Tehran that the United States could take “strong action” in response to fatalities among Iranian protesters. State media in Tehran contrasted the U.S. domestic response with Trump’s warnings, framing the incident as evidence of “selective morality” in U.S. foreign policy.
“While the world was warned that Iran would face consequences for deaths of protesters, American citizens experience the same fate at home under federal agents,” the statement continued. “This incident underscores the need for international scrutiny of U.S. practices regarding human rights and lawful protest.”
The Minneapolis Police Department and federal agencies have launched an internal review into the incident. Meanwhile, protests across the city continued late into Friday night, as residents expressed outrage over the killing and called for accountability.
International observers noted that Tehran’s reaction is likely aimed at highlighting inconsistencies in U.S. foreign policy, particularly in relation to human rights advocacy abroad. Analysts say Iran may use the Minneapolis shooting as a diplomatic lever to counter U.S. criticism of its handling of domestic unrest.