Trump Warns Iran of Possible Strikes Amid Protests

Trump ⁣Warns Iran Against Violent Crackdown on Protests

President Donald Trump ​warned Iran⁢ on⁢ Friday that it faces serious consequences ⁢if ⁣its government violently suppresses‌ ongoing protests.He indicated the U.S. could respond with military action, saying Washington would ⁢retaliate if Iranian​ authorities harm ⁢demonstrators.

“Iran’s in big trouble. It looks⁤ to me ‌that the people⁢ are taking over ‍certain ‌cities that nobody ⁢thought were really possible just a few weeks ​ago,” Trump said.

he directly addressed Iranian⁣ leaders, stating, “You⁢ better not start shooting​ because we’ll start​ shooting too.” Trump added that the U.S. would intervene if protesters are killed, though he clarified this doesn’t‌ necessarily mean deploying troops.

“That doesn’t mean‌ boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts.”

Trump has previously warned Iranian leaders of ⁢repercussions for suppressing the protests, but has ⁢largely maintained a‍ cautious approach. He reiterated his warning to reporters at ⁢the White House on Friday.

Human rights⁢ organizations allege Iranian security forces have already killed ‍and injured numerous protesters. Trump, in a recent interview ⁣with Fox ​News host Sean​ Hannity, described demonstrators being “stomped on” and ⁢security forces “shooting the hell ⁣out of people” in past ‍demonstrations.

The‍ current protests are the latest in a ‍series ‍of major demonstrations ​in Iran, where the U.S.⁤ has consistently voiced support​ for⁣ the opposition.

Trump also indicated‍ he is not ⁤currently planning ⁤to⁢ meet ‌with Reza Pahlavi, the exiled ⁣crown ​prince and‍ son ​of the late Shah of Iran, ‌suggesting he wants to observe how the⁤ situation unfolds before​ endorsing an ‌opposition ‍leader.

“I think that we should let everybody‍ go out there and see who emerges,” ‍Trump told ⁤conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt⁢ on Thursday.

More details ​on ​the protests can be found at The Daily Sabah.