Trump Warns Iran of “Overwhelming Force” if Protesters Are Killed
Trump threatens devastating US strike on Iran amid deadly protests.
United States President Donald Trump has delivered a severe warning to Iranian authorities, declaring that the United States would respond with overwhelming force if security forces escalate lethal violence against civilians participating in the widespread protests that have gripped the nation since late December 2025.
During a recent interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump revealed that he had personally conveyed a strong message to Tehran. He stated that if Iranian forces begin systematically killing protesters—referring to the regime's history of suppressing what he termed frequent riots—the United States would strike back very hard, emphasizing that the warning had been communicated even more forcefully through direct channels.
The protests originated from a profound economic collapse, with inflation soaring to over 42 percent and the Iranian rial plummeting to record lows against the dollar. What began as demonstrations by merchants and shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar quickly spread nationwide, encompassing over 280 locations across most provinces and transforming into explicit calls for political change and an end to the Islamic Republic's rule.
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Human rights monitors and activist networks report that the death toll has risen significantly, with at least 36 to 45 individuals killed, including protesters, bystanders, children, and some security personnel, amid reports of live ammunition being used by forces such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and police. Thousands have been arrested, hospitals raided for wounded demonstrators, and widespread internet blackouts imposed to curb coordination.
Trump's stern remarks, including praise for the protesters as brave people fighting for freedom, come as international attention intensifies on the unrest, with the regime accusing external interference while facing mounting domestic pressure that analysts describe as one of the most serious challenges in decades.
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