Trump Issues Stark Warning to Iran Amid Protest Crackdown

Escalating Tensions Over Iran's Protest Response

Washington: President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, indicating that the US would take 'very strong action' if the Iranian government proceeds with executing protesters amid ongoing anti-government demonstrations.

In an exclusive interview with CBS News, Trump stated he had not verified reports suggesting Iran's intention to hang demonstrators but emphasized that the US would respond decisively if such actions were confirmed.

"I haven’t heard about the hanging," Trump remarked. "If they hang ’em, you’re gonna see some things. We will take very strong action."

When questioned about his previous statement that 'help is on the way' for Iran, he clarified that assistance would manifest in various forms, but reiterated that the US would not offer economic support to Tehran.

"We’re not gonna help Iran very much," he asserted, claiming that the US had effectively neutralized Iran's nuclear capabilities.

"We put Iran out of business with their nuclear capacity," he added, suggesting that the operation was executed swiftly once US bombers reached their targets.

In response to reports of thousands of protesters being killed, Trump acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the figures. "Nobody’s been able to give us accurate numbers," he stated, but warned that confirmed deaths would lead to significant repercussions for the Iranian regime.

When asked if Iran had crossed a US red line, Trump indicated that the situation was still evolving but cautioned that mass killings would not be tolerated.

"The endgame is to win," he declared. "I like winning. And we’re winning."

Trump drew parallels between the current situation in Iran and previous US military actions, referencing the elimination of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, as well as US policies towards Venezuela.

"We’ve been right about everything," he claimed, asserting that US actions had averted greater instability.

The president also defended his foreign policy achievements, stating he had "ended eight wars" and argued that ongoing conflicts would have negatively impacted the US both economically and strategically.

"You can’t be forgetting about bad threats," Trump emphasized. "You can’t be forgetting about an Iran with a nuclear weapon."

He reiterated that maintaining global peace is a priority, even while focusing on domestic economic growth, arguing that instability abroad ultimately threatens American interests.

Iran has been experiencing ongoing protests due to political oppression and economic hardships, with international human rights organizations reporting widespread arrests and fatalities. The US and Iran have not had formal diplomatic relations for many years, and tensions have frequently escalated over Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional activities.