US President Donald Trump has issued a direct and stark warning to Iran's leadership, stating that Washington will intervene if authorities use lethal force against demonstrators. The warning comes as nationwide protests over severe economic hardship entered their second week, marking Iran's most significant unrest in three years.
Trump's Direct Warning and Iran's Harsh Response
During a meeting with oil executives on Friday, January 9, President Trump delivered a blunt message. "I tell the Iranian leaders — you better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting, too," he declared. This warning was swiftly followed by a severe escalation from Tehran. On Saturday, January 10, Iran’s Prosecutor General, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, warned that anyone participating in protests or even assisting rioters would be considered an "enemy of God." Under Iranian law, this charge carries the death penalty.
Azad, in remarks reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, instructed prosecutors to act without delay and "without leniency, compassion or indulgence." This hardline stance signals a coming clampdown, endorsed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, despite repeated warnings from Washington.
Economic Despair Fuels Widespread Unrest
The protests, which began in Tehran on December 28, were initially sparked by shopkeepers protesting a sharp currency slide, soaring inflation, and prolonged economic stagnation. The roots of this crisis trace back to 2018 when the United States reimposed sanctions after President Trump withdrew from the international nuclear agreement.
The Iranian rial has lost more than a third of its value against the US dollar in the past year alone, severely eroding purchasing power. The situation worsened in December following Iran's conflict with Israel in June, triggering another sharp currency fall and the current wave of widespread unrest. Protesters are demonstrating against the crippling economic conditions that have pushed basic necessities out of reach for many households.
Internet Blackout Masks True Scale of Protests
Assessing the true scale of the demonstrations has become difficult as Iran has largely cut itself off from the global internet and international phone lines. Despite this blackout, reports indicate significant violence and casualties. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 72 people have been killed and more than 2,300 detained so far. Iranian state media, however, has focused on casualties among security forces while insisting authorities remain in full control.
President Trump has publicly backed the protesters, posting on Truth Social on January 10: "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!" He had earlier drawn a red line on January 5, stating, "If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they’re going to get hit very hard by the United States." His stance sets the stage for a potential international confrontation centered on Iran's internal crackdown.
