09.01.2026 00:32
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that if people are killed in the ongoing protests in Iran, Washington will "hit Iran very hard." Addressing the Iranian people, Trump said, "You must place great importance on freedom. There is nothing like freedom. You are a brave people."
U.S. President Donald Trump stated during his appearance on "The Hugh Hewitt Show" that there are very large crowds and stampedes occurring in the ongoing protests in Iran.
"IF THEY START KILLING PEOPLE, WE WILL HIT THEM VERY HARD"
Trump expressed that people have lost their lives in the protests but he is not sure whether the responsibility can be placed on one side, stating that if such actions continue, Iran will pay a heavy price.
President Trump said, "They are in a very bad situation. I also conveyed this to them: If they start killing people, which they tend to do during their uprisings, they frequently incite riots, if they do this, we will hit them (Iran) very hard."
HE HAS A CALL TO THE PEOPLE OF IRAN
Trump stated that they are closely following the protests in Iran and addressed the Iranian people, saying, "You must place great importance on freedom. There is nothing like freedom. You are a brave people. It is a pity what is happening to your country. Your country was a great country. Years ago, when I was a young real estate developer, my friends went to Iran and they were very successful."
PROTESTS IN IRAN
Protests initiated by shopkeepers in the Tehran Grand Bazaar on December 28, 2025, due to the high depreciation of the local currency against foreign exchange rates and economic problems, spread to many cities across the country.
While no official statement has been made regarding those who died or were injured in the protests, the Iran Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported on January 7 that 38 people, including 4 security personnel, had lost their lives, dozens were injured, and 2,217 people were detained. The Tasnim News Agency noted that the number of injured police officers in the protests had risen to 568, and the militia force (Basij) to 66.
Source: AA / İHA