Donald Trump has issued a blunt warning to Iran’s ruling leadership, saying they are “close to crossing a red line” as reports emerge of hundreds of protesters killed during a sweeping crackdown on nationwide demonstrations.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, the U.S. president expressed anger over how Iranian authorities have responded to growing unrest, particularly in Tehran. According to human rights organizations, roughly 500 demonstrators have been killed as protests continue to challenge the country’s increasingly fragile authoritarian system.
Trump said his administration is actively considering “very strong options” in response. He suggested that Iran’s leadership has crossed moral and legal boundaries by targeting civilians, questioning whether the country is being governed by legitimate leaders or by people who maintain power solely through violence. He emphasized that both civilian and military officials are closely reviewing the situation and that a decision would be made soon.
Earlier, Trump had posted on Truth Social that Iran may be closer to freedom than it has been in decades, a statement that signaled support for the protest movement while further antagonizing Tehran’s rulers.
The White House tone was reinforced by the U.S. State Department, which issued a warning underscoring Trump’s reputation for following through on threats. Officials made it clear that Washington does not view the situation as rhetorical posturing, but as a serious matter with real consequences.
The international outcry intensified following the death of 23-year-old university student Robina Aminian. She was reportedly shot in the back of the head while preparing to join a demonstration. Human rights monitors say her family was forced to search through numerous bodies at a temporary morgue before identifying her remains.
Her uncle described her as fiercely independent and deeply committed to freedom, particularly women’s rights. He said she was someone who refused to be silenced or controlled, and that her death has become a powerful symbol of the broader struggle unfolding across Iran.
Protests have spread well beyond Tehran, drawing support from Iranians inside the country and across the global diaspora. Many demonstrators are openly rejecting the political system established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, calling instead for fundamental change.
Trump is reportedly monitoring the situation closely. Last year, he authorized strikes against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, signaling his willingness to use military force if he believes U.S. interests or human rights lines have been crossed.
Some foreign policy analysts believe additional military action remains a real possibility, especially given Trump’s recent record of aggressive interventions and diplomatic pressure campaigns. Senior U.S. officials have also been in discussions with key allies, including Israel, about potential responses should the crisis continue to escalate.
Whether the warning results in direct action or heightened diplomatic pressure remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that Washington is framing the Iranian government’s response to protests as a serious violation that could trigger consequences far beyond words.
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