Donald Trump warned Iran’s clerical leadership again on Saturday that the United States was prepared to support citizens involved in nationwide anti-government protests.
Writing on his Truth social media platform, the US president said Iran was closer to “freedom” than ever and that America stood ready to assist. This followed an earlier warning in which Mr Trump said the US military was “locked and loaded” should Tehran harm demonstrators.
Rights organisations report that at least 65 people have been killed since protests erupted over the collapse of Iran’s currency and later expanded into calls for the overthrow of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
Iranian authorities responded by threatening protesters with the death penalty, announcing the arrest of 100 “armed rioters,” and blaming the unrest on foreign “terrorist agents” from the US and Israel. Demonstrations supporting Iranian protesters also took place internationally, including in London, where an incident was reported at Iran’s embassy.
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