Donald Trump has issued a direct threat to Iran's Supreme Leader, warning that the United States will "start shooting" if Iranian security forces target unarmed protesters, as nationwide demonstrations demanding regime change entered a thirteenth consecutive night.
Trump's Stark Warning and Iran's Response
The US president delivered his ultimatum during an interview with Fox News, stating he had "put Iran on notice" against any violent action towards demonstrators. "I've warned them that if they do anything bad to these people, we're going to hit them very hard," Trump told Sean Hannity. He later added a blunt message to Tehran's leadership: "They better not start shooting because we'll start shooting too."
In response, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused the protesters of being "saboteurs" and "terrorist agents" working for the United States and Israel. During a public address, Iran's Supreme Leader insisted the Islamic Republic "will not tolerate mercenaries working for foreign powers" and vowed it would not back down.
Nationwide Blackout and Escalating Violence
The war of words unfolded against a backdrop of severe unrest and a near-total communications blackout within Iran. Authorities cut all internet and phone lines across the country on Thursday and Friday, severing the population's connection to the outside world.
Despite the media crackdown, footage that emerged showed significant violence. Buildings and shops were set ablaze, and vehicles were overturned in Tehran and other cities. According to the Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA), the clashes have resulted in the deaths of at least 62 protesters and several police officers since the protests began on 28 December. The agency also reported approximately 2,200 arrests.
Protests have erupted in more than 100 cities and towns, marking the most serious challenge to the regime in years. Thousands have swarmed streets, chanting anti-government slogans.
International Condemnation and Economic Roots
The international community has voiced deep concern. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, in a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, condemned the killing of protesters and urged Iranian authorities to "exercise restraint" and uphold fundamental rights. The United Nations rights chief, Volker Turk, said he was "deeply disturbed" by the violence and communications shutdown.
The protests were initially sparked by a call from Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last Shah. However, analysts point to deeper, long-simmering causes. Iran is grappling with a severe economic crisis, with inflation hitting 40 per cent and its currency, the rial, in freefall, now exchanging at 1.4 million to the US dollar. The re-imposition of UN sanctions in September has exacerbated the hardship.
Iran's judiciary has promised that punishment for those involved in the unrest will be "decisive, maximal, and without legal leniency". As the standoff continues, the world watches to see if the regime's crackdown will quell the dissent or fuel further escalation.
