Trump threatens Iran's regime as protests intensify
Illustrative photo: protests in Iran (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump threatened the Iranian authorities to support protesters if violence against civilians continues.
"If Iran shots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue," writes Trump.
Protests in Iran
Mass protests in Iran erupted over the economic crisis and the sharp fall in the national currency.
The first demonstrations began over the weekend when vendors at Tehran's large market protested against rapid inflation by closing their stalls.
Hundreds of shop owners in the Iranian capital and other cities joined the strike. The protest initiatives quickly turned into a movement uniting criticism of the regime. The protests spread to universities and streets, where millions of people took to the streets.
These demonstrations were the largest in Iran since 2022. To prevent escalation, the authorities tightened security measures in areas of Tehran where demonstrations began.
On New Year's Eve, protesters set fire to a Basij militia base, which is a key instrument of the authorities' coercive power.
Security forces in many regions responded with force, using tear gas and making arrests. It was reported that during the clashes, young people and students were victims of police violence.
According to media reports, at least seven people were killed during the anti-government protests.
