Trump issues fresh warning to Iran: We are ready to intervene
As protests driven by economic hardship continue across Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed his warning to Tehran, saying Washington is prepared to act if the crackdown intensifies.
increasingly sharp reactions from Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States is closely monitoring developments, declaring that “Iran is closer to freedom than it has ever been” and warning that the U.S. is ready to intervene if violence against protesters escalates.
Trump: The situation is being watched closely
In a statement shared on social media, Trump stressed that the U.S. would not remain silent if Iranian authorities resort to lethal force. Speaking earlier at the White House, he said, “If they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved. We will hit them very hard where it hurts.”
Trump later clarified that intervention would not necessarily mean deploying troops, but could involve strong economic or military measures.
Responding to questions about Iran, Trump added that the country was facing unprecedented pressure. “Iran is in big trouble. It looks like people are taking over some cities. A few weeks ago, no one thought this was possible,” he said.
Khamenei pushes back
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei responded sharply to Trump’s remarks. In a televised address, Khamenei accused certain groups of damaging public property during protests in order to “please the president of another country.”
Addressing Trump directly, he said, “If he can, he should govern his own country.”
The speech, broadcast on state television, was accompanied by chants of “Death to America” from supporters in attendance.
Protests spread nationwide
Demonstrations in Iran began on December 28, 2025, when shopkeepers in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar protested the sharp devaluation of the national currency. The unrest quickly spread to dozens of cities, evolving into the most serious challenge to Iran’s leadership in years.
Protesters have voiced anger over economic conditions and governance, while security forces have responded with force in several locations. Although Iranian authorities have not released official casualty figures, rights groups report dozens of deaths, hundreds of injuries, and thousands of arrests.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 65 people — including security personnel — have been killed since the protests began, with more than 2,300 detained.
Rising tension between Washington and Tehran
Trump’s renewed warnings have further escalated tensions between the United States and Iran. While Washington frames its statements as support for protesters, Tehran has condemned them as foreign interference in its internal affairs.
With protests continuing and rhetoric hardening on both sides, observers warn that the coming days could prove critical for both Iran’s internal stability and its already strained relations with the United States.
