Trump Discusses Protests in Iran
During a phone interview on Fox News’ “The Five,” President Donald Trump expressed that the Iranian people are currently unable to protest against their government due to violent repression from regime forces, including snipers.
These comments arose within a broader conversation about Iran when he was asked about the sentiments of the Iranian populace. Trump emphasized the distinction between Iran’s leadership and its citizens, asserting that the regime retains power through fear and violence, while he defended U.S. military initiatives in the region.
“They’re scared because one side has guns—really nasty ones,” Trump said. He went on to emphasize that, despite the bravery of the people, witnessing violence can easily intimidate anyone. “You can’t really protest unless you’re, well, not thinking clearly,” he added.
Trump noted that fear of violent reprisals is a significant factor stopping widespread protests in Iran. “They’re being shot at one after another,” he explained, adding that this occurs through the use of sniper fire.
He recalled past demonstrations, particularly those led by women, where participants faced brutal countermeasures. “It started with women,” Trump pointed out, recalling an incident where a woman was shot by a sniper during a protest. He mentioned that seeing someone fall to the ground can scatter a crowd quickly. “When you see someone bleeding seriously, you run away,” he said.
Moreover, Trump claimed that his administration had taken steps to discourage protests by issuing direct warnings about the dangers involved. “We put out a notice that if you protest, you will be shot,” he stated. “They kill them,” he added, reinforcing the extreme nature of the situation.
In another part of the interview, Trump was asked about reports concerning Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. He acknowledged that intelligence officials mentioned this, though he sounded uncertain, saying, “I think there are many people who say that.”
Throughout the discussion, Trump highlighted the weakened state of the Iranian regime under U.S. operations, reiterating his stance on differentiating the Iranian government from its citizens.
