Triumph

The leader of an independent Iranian news publication says that President Trump’s warnings are alarming officials in the Middle Eastern country, encouraging protesters as the largest demonstrations in years sweep the nation.

The head of Iran’s judiciary warned that protesters will face the “maximum” punishment, and the country’s attorney general said that anyone who participates in the protests will be considered an “enemy of God,” a charge carrying the death penalty, according to the News.

Trump has said the United States will respond if protesters are killed. He he repeated his warning on Friday, telling Iranian leaders not to attack protesters. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said online Saturday morning that “the United States stands with the brave people of Iran.” On Saturday afternoon, Trump wrote on Truth Social that “Iran is looking toward FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. America is ready to help!!!”

“I’m sure that has really scared a lot of Iranian officials and may have affected their actions in terms of how to confront the protesters, but at the same time, it has inspired a lot of protesters to come out because they know that the leader of the world’s leading superpower is supporting their cause,” said Maziar Bahari, editor of the independent news site Iranwire.

He Demonstrations began in Tehran. two weeks ago in response to Iran’s falling currency and ailing economy. Holly Dagres, a non-resident fellow at the Washington Institute and curator of the Iranian newsletter, said the protests were sparked by the same core problems of “systemic mismanagement, corruption or repression” that led to the uprisings after the death of Mahsa Aminiwho was killed by Iran’s morality police in 2022.

Since then, they have grown throughout the countrywith thousands of people filling the streets. Human rights groups say at least 65 people have died, while at least two hospitals in Tehran reported being inundated with patients.

Iran’s state media called protesters terrorists, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made a public speech on Friday, accusing Iranians of ruining their own streets to please the US president. officials cut off the country’s internet on Thursday, effectively isolating Iran from the outside world.

Dagris said Internet access was cut off “because the Islamic Republic did not want the international community and its fellow Iranians to see what was happening.”

“I think there is a real concern that with the Internet shut down, the international community will not pay attention and that events on the ground will deteriorate,” said Dagres, who grew up in Iran.

She said she wasn’t sure Trump’s warnings would deter a crackdown.

“Unfortunately, this is a regime that has been in power for 47 years and has not changed its behavior nor will it because the president of the United States makes a threat,” Dagres said. “And we are hearing it and seeing that already with what has been developing… This is an Islamic Republic that is cornered and is attacking. And that is exactly what they do best, unfortunately: brutal repressions.”

Bahari said that “many people have called what is happening in Iran a revolution,” but noted that there is no opposition leader to unite around.

Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former shah, who was overthrown in January 1979, has been encouraging protesters on social media and saying he is preparing to return to the country, but it is unclear how much support he actually has within Iran.