In a striking show of solidarity with demonstrators in Iran, former US President Donald Trump was photographed holding a signed 'Make Iran Great Again' hat alongside Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. The image emerged as Iran grapples with its most significant wave of public dissent since the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests.
Political Gesture Amidst Deepening Crisis
The photograph, shared on Senator Graham's social media account on Monday, shows Trump and the senator giving a thumbs-up. Graham's accompanying message praised Trump's leadership and extended blessings to "the brave people of Iran who are standing up to tyranny." This visual endorsement comes at a critical juncture for Iran, where public anger over economic hardship and political corruption has boiled over into the streets.
The protests, which began on December 28, have rapidly expanded. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, demonstrations have now been recorded in over 220 locations across 26 of Iran's 31 provinces. The scale indicates a profound and nationwide discontent that authorities are struggling to contain.
On the Ground: Violence and Defiance
The human cost of the unrest is mounting. Reports confirm that at least 20 people have been killed and more than 990 individuals have been arrested. Video evidence from sources like BBC Persian has captured powerful scenes from cities including Tehran, Yasuj, Sari, and Kermanshah, where crowds defiantly chant slogans like "Freedom, freedom, freedom" and "Death to the dictator."
In several instances, security forces have responded with lethal force. One notable incident occurred outside a government compound in Malekshahi, where at least four protesters were killed after forces opened fire. The economic backdrop to this anger is severe, with inflation hovering around 40 per cent and the prices of essential food items like meat and rice skyrocketing, squeezing ordinary citizens.
International Reactions and Domestic Crackdown
The international community, led by the United States, is watching closely. President Trump issued a direct warning to the Iranian government over the weekend, stating, "We're watching it very closely. 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." This rhetoric echoes the support shown in the symbolic 'Make Iran Great Again' hat.
Domestically, the Iranian leadership has taken a hardline stance. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has labelled the demonstrators as "rioters," even as some authorities claim they are listening to legitimate grievances. The current unrest is a stark reminder of the 2022 protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, which resulted in over 550 deaths and 20,000 detentions, highlighting a persistent cycle of public frustration and state repression.
The convergence of a severe economic crisis, widespread public demonstrations, and high-profile international political support marks a volatile moment for Iran. The world awaits to see how the government will navigate this challenge and whether the protesters' calls for change will be met with reform or further force.
