Iran Protests: Will Washington Learn the Lessons of Tiananmen?

On January 2, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to warn Iran’s leaders not to crack down on snowballing protests: “If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The Iranian regime evidently brushed off the threat. According to reports filtering out of Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, perhaps in conjunction with Iraqi militias, have killed thousands of Iranian protesters.

About the Author

Michael Rubin

Michael Rubin is Director of Policy Analysis at the Middle East Forum and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

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On January 2, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to warn Iran’s leaders not to crack down on snowballing protests: “If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The Iranian regime evidently brushed off the threat. According to reports filtering out of Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, perhaps in conjunction with Iraqi militias, have killed thousands of Iranian protesters.