Washington: US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran regarding the suppression of ongoing protests, stating that the United States is monitoring the situation and will respond forcefully if authorities resort to killing civilians.
Addressing reporters aboard Air Force One whilst returning to the White House from his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump was questioned about reports of casualties among demonstrators and his earlier assertion that the US was "locked and loaded."
"We’ll take a look," Trump said. "We’re watching it very closely."
The President drew a distinct red line regarding the use of lethal force by the Iranian regime. "If they start killing people as they have in the past, I think they’re going to get hit very hard by the United States," he warned.
Trump did not specify the nature of a potential US response, nor did he outline immediate military or economic plans. However, his comments carry significant weight given the substantial deployment of US military assets currently in the region.
While he offered no specific timeline or trigger point, the President underscored that Washington is actively tracking developments inside Iran. "We’re watching it very closely," he reiterated.
The comments regarding Iran were part of a broader exchange linking instability in various regions to US national security interests. Throughout the briefing, Trump framed civil unrest, drug trafficking, and authoritarian violence as interconnected threats requiring decisive American responses.
Although he did not draw direct comparisons during his remarks on Iran, the warning follows strong language directed at Venezuela, Cuba, and other nations he has characterised as destabilising forces.
Trump has historically taken a confrontational stance against Tehran, accusing the regime of violently suppressing dissent during previous waves of protests. In this latest exchange, whilst stopping short of announcing new sanctions, he emphasised a posture of vigilance and readiness.
(Inputs from IANS)