World News
‘Better behave’: Donald Trump warns Iran of ‘consequences’ for violence against protesters
As nationwide protests continue to intensify in Iran, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Tehran of “consequences” if it persists with violent actions against its own citizens, saying the Iranian leadership “better behave.”
As nationwide protests continue to intensify in Iran, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Tehran of “consequences” if it persists with violent actions against its own citizens, saying the Iranian leadership “better behave.”
Trump said the United States was closely reviewing reports of killings and alleged executions linked to the unrest. Speaking to reporters after an event in Detroit, he said he was returning to Washington to assess the situation.
“We’re going to look at the whole situation that’s going on in Iran. We’ll get some accurate numbers as to what’s happening with regard to the killing,” Trump said.
Asked whether he would like to see democracy in Iran, Trump said he hoped the Iranian people would experience “a little bit of freedom.”
“We don’t want to see people killed. These people have been living in hell for a long time. Iran used to be a great place—the people were great. And now it is living in hell,” he said.
Responding to Iran’s warnings of retaliation in the event of US strikes, Trump remarked, “They said that the last time I blew them up with the nuclear capability, which they don’t have any longer. So they better behave.”
On reports of violence against protesters, Trump urged Iranian authorities to show restraint. “They’ve got to show humanity. They’ve got a big problem, and I hope they’re not going to be killing people,” he said.
Commenting on alleged executions, Trump added, “When they start killing thousands of people and now you’re telling me about hanging protesters, we’ll see how that works out for them. It’s not going to work out good.”
Trump’s remarks come amid heightened US messaging on Iran. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said airstrikes were among the “many, many options” under consideration, though diplomacy remained the administration’s preferred course.
The warning followed Trump’s announcement of a new economic measure targeting Iran. He said any country continuing business with Tehran would face a 25 per cent tariff on all trade with the United States, effective immediately.
“Any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States,” Trump said, calling the order “final and conclusive.”
Iran has been witnessing sustained protests since late December. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the unrest has entered its 17th day, with 606 protest gatherings reported across 187 cities. The death toll includes at least 505 protesters, among them nine children, as well as 133 members of Iran’s military and security forces, one prosecutor and seven civilians not involved in the demonstrations.
