President Trump issued a stern warning to Iran on Friday, pledging U.S. intervention should the Iranian regime employ lethal force against peaceful demonstrators amid widespread protests over economic grievances.
According to RedState, Trump took to Truth Social to deliver his message, stating, "If Iran (shoots) and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue." He further emphasized, "We are locked and loaded and ready to go."
This declaration signifies a significant escalation in the already tense relations between the United States and Iran, as reports have emerged of at least one protester being killed, with additional unverified reports suggesting more fatalities.
The unrest in Iran was sparked by a strike from shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar, protesting the Iranian rial's dramatic devaluation against the U.S. dollar. The resulting inflation has compounded the hardships faced by ordinary Iranians, who have long suffered under the regime's economic mismanagement.
President Trump, earlier in the week, refrained from explicitly supporting regime change but warned that the protests could intensify, noting, "They've got a lot of problems: tremendous inflation, their economy is bust, their economy is no good, and I know people aren't so happy."
RedState's Nick Arama reported on the rapid spread of protests across Iran, with demonstrators increasingly challenging the oppressive regime. Arama observed, "There have been numerous protests over the years in Iran, but there are indications in this one that are giving many great hope, as we enter a new year."
The protests, now in their fourth day, have seen chants for the return of the monarchy, with no anti-Western or anti-Israel slogans, highlighting a shift in the public's focus.
Ward Clark, another RedState reporter, predicted significant developments in Iran, suggesting that "something big" is on the horizon. Clark described Tehran's dire situation, exacerbated by drought and the regime's prioritization of funding terrorism over addressing the basic needs of its citizens.
He remarked, "It's looking a lot like the Iranian people have finally had enough, and in the end, it has to be the Iranian people who toss those Bronze Age barbarians out."
Trump's warning aligns with his administration's hardline approach toward Iran, which has included targeted airstrikes on their nuclear facilities. The Iranian regime is acutely aware that when the U.S. President issues a warning, he is prepared to act decisively.
With Iran's government weakened by economic turmoil, the loss of allies such as Syria's Assad, and growing internal dissent, some analysts contend that these protests represent the most formidable challenge to the Islamic Republic in recent years.
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