As Iran grapples with some of its most widespread anti-government protests in years, US President Donald Trump’s statements have swung between sharp warnings and cautious diplomatic overtures, reflecting rising tensions over Tehran’s crackdown and the risk of wider conflict. Trump’s comments have drawn global attention amid reports that hundreds of people have died in protests and that US officials are considering a range of responses.
1. A Stark Warning: ‘You Better Not Start Shooting’
One of Trump’s most headline-grabbing remarks came early in the crisis, when he directly warned Iran’s leadership against a violent suppression of protesters. On multiple occasions, he framed his message bluntly: “You better not start shooting, because we’ll start shooting too,” and stressed that if Iranian authorities continued to kill demonstrators, the United States might intervene and “hit them very hard where it hurts.”
This rhetoric was delivered as Iran’s government imposed internet blackouts and attempted to curb the flow of information amid nationwide demonstrations triggered by deep economic distress. Rights groups and activist networks have reported hundreds of protester deaths, though exact figures remain difficult to verify due to communications restrictions inside Iran.
2. Red Lines and Military Options
Trump repeatedly set what he described as a “red line” regarding the killing of civilians. Officials close to the administration have said the US military is reviewing “very strong options” in response to the Iranian crackdown, including possible strikes. These comments underscored that Washington was taking Tehran’s actions seriously even if a formal order for military intervention had not been issued.
While Trump insisted that “boots on the ground” were not in question, he warned that the United States could employ powerful retaliatory actions short of full invasion should Iran’s response to protests escalate further. The ambiguity of such statements highlighted both the seriousness of US concern and the complexity of launching military measures against a sovereign state.
3. Support for Protesters, Not Regime Change
Alongside his warnings to Tehran, Trump voiced support for Iranian demonstrators, praising their courage and expressing concern for their safety. He emphasised that the US “stands ready to help” peaceful protesters, framing the unrest as part of a broader struggle for freedom and rights against a repressive regime.
Yet, he stopped short of overtly advocating for regime change, instead insisting that any US action would be tied to Iran’s use of brutal force against civilians rather than a broader geopolitical agenda.
4. Diplomatic Overtures: Iran ‘Wants to Negotiate’
In a significant shift from threats of force, Trump also revealed that Iran’s leadership had reached out to negotiate with the United States amid the crisis. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he stated that a meeting was being set up and that “they want to negotiate,” even as he added that the US might still need to “act before a meeting” if conditions worsened on the ground.
Trump framed this outreach as evidence that Tehran might be feeling the pressure from international attention and global condemnation of its violent suppression. However, he insisted that diplomacy would be contingent on Tehran’s willingness to address the crisis and uphold humanitarian standards.
5. Iran’s Response: Prepared for War and Talks
Iran, for its part, has responded to Trump’s mix of warnings and diplomatic signals with its own dual message. Iranian officials have stated that they are “fully prepared for war” if attacked, even as they indicated a willingness to engage in negotiations on certain issues not necessarily directly tied to the protest unrest. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasised that talks must be fair and based on mutual respect, rejecting coercive pressure while appearing open to dialogue.
What This Means for the Prospects of a US Strike
Despite Trump’s stark warnings and talk of “strong options,” there is no public evidence that a strike on Tehran has been ordered. Instead, Trump’s statements reflect a balancing act: deterring violent suppression of civilians, signalling US resolve, and keeping diplomatic channels open in an effort to avoid direct military conflict.
The situation remains volatile, and Trump’s own remarks suggest that any shift from rhetoric to action would depend on developments inside Iran and how the protests and government response evolve. For now, the world watches a tense blend of warnings, negotiation overtures, and uncertainty underscored by the real human toll of one of Iran’s most intense periods of unrest in years.
