Trump warns Iran against suppressing protests and threatens military strikes
In a new escalation of tensions between Washington and Tehran, US President Donald Trump issued strongly worded warnings to the Iranian leadership, describing the current situation in Iran as a "big mess" for the regime, against the backdrop of escalating popular protests in several Iranian cities. Trump emphasized that the United States would not stand idly by if Iranian authorities resorted to excessive violence against the demonstrators.
Details of the US warning
In his press remarks on Friday, the US president indicated that the situation in Iran was changing at an unexpectedly rapid pace, saying, "Iran is in big trouble. It seems to me that the people are taking control of certain cities; no one thought that was possible just a few weeks ago." These remarks reflected Washington's interpretation of the popular movement in Iran as an opportunity to pressure the regime.
In direct response to a question about the message he would send to Tehran's leaders, Trump was unequivocal in his threat, saying, "You better not fire first because we will fire too." The US president clarified the nature of the potential intervention, denying any intention to send ground troops while simultaneously emphasizing the option of focused airstrikes, stating, "This does not mean sending ground troops; it means hitting them very hard where it hurts.".
Context of tension and historical relations
These statements come against the backdrop of a long history of tension between the United States and Iran, which escalated significantly during the Trump administration through its "maximum pressure" strategy. Internal protests in Iran have long been a focal point of US foreign policy, with Washington viewing the popular movement as an indication of the regime's weakness and the erosion of its domestic legitimacy as a result of economic sanctions and international isolation.
Historically, Iran has witnessed multiple waves of protests, often met with severe security crackdowns. Through these warnings, the US administration is attempting to establish red lines to prevent a recurrence of the bloody violence against protesters, leveraging its military presence in the region to project military deterrence without being drawn into a full-scale and costly ground war.
Expected regional and international repercussions
This threat of "strikes at the heart of the matter" carries serious strategic implications, suggesting the potential targeting of vital facilities or command centers belonging to the Revolutionary Guard, which could alter the rules of engagement in the Middle East. The international community is watching these developments with concern, as any direct military action could destabilize the region and disrupt global energy markets.
Observers believe that linking US intervention to the safety of protesters puts the Iranian regime in front of difficult choices; while it tries to suppress the protests to maintain its internal cohesion, it faces the risk of being exposed to external blows that could exacerbate its economic and political crisis, making the coming days crucial in determining the course of events in Tehran.
