Trump warns: ‘If civilians continue to die, there will be a very strong response’ against Iran

1. US reaction to the protests
2. Threats and possible measures from Washington
3. Accusations of interference and Tehran's stance
4. Internal measures and risk of conflict

Iran is experiencing one of the worst internal crises in recent years. What began as protests against worsening economic conditions, inflation and currency devaluation, with the rial trading at more than 1.4 million to the dollar, has turned into a nationwide uprising, which, due to the actions of the Iranian government, has claimed the lives of hundreds of people and led to the arrest of thousands more.

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), an institution dedicated to the study and monitoring of human rights, more than 540 people have been killed and more than 10,000 detained across the country. These figures are increasingly difficult to verify, as the Iranian government is currently maintaining a state of cyber blackout, which in turn makes it difficult to ascertain the true reality of what is happening inside the country.

Other organisations, such as the People's Mujahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI/MEK), on the other hand, claim that the death toll in the protests exceeds 3,000, with more than 20,000 detained.

US reaction to the protests

Faced with this situation, the response of the US President, Donald Trump, has been clear. The president has warned that his cabinet is considering US intervention if the Iranian regime continues to crack down hard on citizens in the protests. Specifically, Trump said that if civilians continue to die in the demonstrations, Washington could consider breaking all limits, and that the Iranian government will be hit very hard if the violence does not stop.

These statements were made to journalists from the presidential plane, where he also made it clear that what is happening in Iran is being evaluated with determination by his administration. ‘The army is analysing it, and we are considering some very strong options,’ he said.

In the same vein, Trump said a few days ago that Iran had sought to engage in talks with the United States and that a meeting between the leaders of both countries was being prepared. However, for the New York tycoon, the excessive use of violence and the relentless increase in deaths and arrests could lead to US intervention before such talks take place.

Threats and possible measures from Washington

‘I think they're tired of being beaten up by the United States. The meeting is being organised, but we may have to take action because of what is happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being organised. Iran called, they want to negotiate,’ he added.

He also said he expects a ‘big change’ in the government and actions against the Iranian people, using this argument as a premise for the US Army not to intervene with the harshness he himself has threatened. Although US attacks on Iran do not have to be military, cyber operations could be carried out in enclaves essential to the regime and its energy structure.

In this context, according to several US media reports, Trump warned that if Iran dares to attack any US or Israeli base or interest, the response would be of unprecedented proportions. ‘If they do that, we will hit them at levels they have never been hit before,’ Trump said.

Accusations of interference and Tehran's stance

The Iranian authorities are accusing the United States and Israel of interference and causing problems within the country, even ‘forcing’ the Iranian regime to lodge official complaints with the United Nations. Tehran claims that the protests have been instigated and fuelled by foreign elements, which Iran considers an excuse for US intervention on Iranian soil.

In this vein, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that they are ready for whatever comes, whether it be military intervention or dialogue. However, he made it clear once again that if Washington intervenes without prior notice, it will be considered a violation of Iran's national sovereignty.

‘If the United States intervenes militarily, its bases and those of Israel in the area will be seen as legitimate targets,’ he said. These words make Iran's official position clear and could further destabilise the region. ‘That is why the demonstrations turned violent and bloody, to give the US president an excuse to intervene,’ Araghchi concluded.

Internal measures and risk of conflict

Alongside the minister, Iran's attorney general has indicated that prosecutors will bring charges against protesters who chanted ‘this is the year of blood, Khamenei will be overthrown’ or ‘Death to Khamenei’, which carry the death penalty.

Washington and Tehran are at their most tense point since the 2022 crisis, which exacerbates and increases the possibility of large-scale armed conflict. Meanwhile, the whole world is watching closely what is happening in Iran, while human rights organisations continue to record the violence so that protesters can be protected.