In a stark escalation of rhetoric, United States President Donald Trump has issued a severe warning to Iran, stating the country would be 'hit very hard' by American forces if its security personnel continue to kill citizens participating in widespread demonstrations.
Trump's Direct Threat from Air Force One
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, January 4, Trump reiterated a threat he first made on Friday, emphasizing close monitoring of the situation. '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,' the President declared. This follows his earlier social media post where he stated Washington 'will come to their rescue' if peaceful protesters are shot, adding that the US was 'locked and loaded and ready to go.'
Iran's Firm Retort: A 'Red Line' Not for Tweets
The Iranian leadership responded with defiance. Ali Shamkhani, a key adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated that Iran's national security constitutes a 'red line, not material for adventurist tweets.' In a post on X, he warned, 'Any intervening hand nearing Iran security on pretexts will be cut off with a regret-inducing response.' Another senior official, Ali Larijani, accused the US and Israel of instigating the protests and cautioned that US intervention would destabilize the region and endanger American soldiers.
Protests Amid Economic Hardship and Regional Tensions
The current wave of protests, reportedly the largest in three years, is driven by soaring inflation and economic distress. Rights groups and state media confirm that at least 16 people have been killed in the unrest. This domestic crisis is compounded by regional tensions, coming months after a 12-day war with Israel in June, which saw US involvement in bombing Iranian nuclear sites. Trump's latest threats also follow his recent statements about potential US strikes if Iran rebuilds its nuclear programme, further straining bilateral relations.
The exchange underscores a dangerously volatile situation, where domestic Iranian protests have become a flashpoint for potential international military confrontation. The world watches as verbal volleys between Washington and Tehran intensify, with the welfare of Iranian protesters caught in the middle.
