Trump Warns Iran Against Using Force on Protesters, Signals Strong US Response

Washington, Jan 2026 : US President Donald Trump on Friday issued a stern warning to Iran, cautioning the country against using force to suppress ongoing protests. Speaking to reporters after a White House meeting with oil and gas executives, Trump said the United States was closely monitoring developments and would respond if violence against civilians escalated.

“So Iran’s in big trouble,” Trump said, noting that protesters had begun taking control of cities that had previously seemed untouchable. He described the unrest as a turning point for the country’s leadership, emphasizing that the current wave of demonstrations reflected deep public dissatisfaction after years of repression.

Trump stressed that the US warning to Tehran was clear: any attempt to kill protesters would provoke a decisive response. “I’ve made the statement very strongly that if they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved. We’ll be hitting them very hard where it hurts,” he said. He made it clear that such action would not involve deploying US ground forces, but would instead target key vulnerabilities.

“We’re watching the situation very carefully,” Trump said, calling the events unprecedented. He contrasted his approach with previous administrations, criticizing former President Barack Obama for “totally backing down” during similar unrest. According to Trump, the Iranian leadership has brought the unrest upon itself through years of mistreatment and repression. “They’ve done a bad job. They’ve treated their people very badly, and now they’re being paid back,” he said.

Trump declined to provide specifics on the nature of potential US actions, reiterating that the priority was to deter violence against civilians. “So we don’t want that to happen,” he said, referring to the risk of a violent crackdown.

The president also noted that the protests had attracted global attention, with international leaders highlighting the movement’s significance. He acknowledged comments from world figures but rejected suggestions of a broader military engagement, stating, “I don’t think it’s going to be necessary.”

Trump emphasized that his administration’s focus remained on ensuring stability without prolonged conflict, while maintaining pressure on governments that repress their populations. “We’re watching it very closely,” he said, referring to the unfolding demonstrations in Iran.

The warning comes amid growing international concern over Iran’s internal unrest, which has drawn attention for its intensity and the rapid spread of protests across multiple cities. Trump’s statements signal a firm US stance on protecting civilian lives while keeping direct military involvement off the table.

The administration continues to monitor the situation closely, prepared to respond if Tehran resorts to violent crackdowns, with the broader goal of preventing mass casualties while promoting accountability for repressive actions.

This approach underscores the US commitment to deterring violence while emphasizing diplomatic and targeted pressure over direct confrontation.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)