US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, saying Washington would take “very strong action” if Iranian authorities go ahead with plans to hang protesters arrested during the ongoing unrest in the country.
The warning comes amid rising international outrage over Iran’s crackdown on demonstrations that rights groups say may have claimed thousands of lives, marking one of the most serious challenges yet to the country’s clerical leadership.
Reacting to Trump’s comments, Iran’s mission to the United Nations accused the United States of using the crisis as an excuse for foreign interference. In a statement posted on X, Tehran said US policy towards Iran had always centred on regime change, using sanctions, threats and unrest as tools to justify possible military intervention.
Despite the backlash, Iranian authorities insist they have regained control after days of nationwide protests. However, rights groups continue to accuse the government of using lethal force against demonstrators and hiding the scale of the violence through an ongoing internet blackout.
Videos circulating online and verified by international media show disturbing scenes from morgues near Tehran, with families desperately searching for missing relatives. Amnesty International and other rights organisations have urged Iran to immediately halt all executions linked to the protests.
Speaking in an interview with CBS News, Trump said the US would not stand by if Iran begins executing protesters. He also repeated earlier messages encouraging Iranians to continue protesting, claiming that “help is on its way,” though he did not clarify what that help would involve.
The situation has also drawn sharp reactions from Europe. Countries including France, Germany and the UK, alongside the European Union, have summoned Iranian diplomats, while EU leaders warned of further sanctions.
As pressure mounts both inside and outside Iran, analysts say the protests pose a serious test for the Islamic Republic, even as the leadership relies on powerful security forces to maintain control.
