Trump Warns Iran Against Violent Crackdown on Protests, Says US Is ‘Watching Very Closely’

Washington— US President Donald Trump has issued a warning to Iran over the handling of ongoing protests, cautioning that the United States would respond forcefully if Iranian authorities resort to killing civilians.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to the White House from Mar-a-Lago, Trump was asked about reports of protesters being killed in Iran and his earlier remark that the US was “locked and loaded.”

“We’ll take a look,” Trump said. “We’re watching it very closely.”

The president drew a firm line against the use of lethal force by Iranian authorities. “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 what form a potential US response might take, nor did he announce any immediate military or economic measures, despite the presence of significant American military assets in the region.

His remarks underscored that Washington is closely monitoring developments inside Iran and weighing its options, though he offered no timeline or specific trigger for action. “We’re watching it very closely,” he reiterated.

The warning came amid broader comments by Trump linking instability in multiple regions to US national security concerns. During the Air Force One interaction, he repeatedly framed unrest, drug trafficking, and authoritarian violence as interconnected threats requiring decisive responses.

While he did not draw direct comparisons in his remarks on Iran, the warning followed strong language directed at countries such as Venezuela and Cuba, which Trump has previously described as destabilising forces in their respective regions.

Trump has, in the past, accused Iran of violently suppressing dissent during earlier waves of protests and has relied on economic sanctions and military deterrence as key pressure tools. In this instance, however, he stopped short of announcing new measures, instead emphasising vigilance and readiness.

“If they start killing people,” Trump said, restating the condition under which US action could follow.

—With inputs from IANS