Trump Warns Iran Is Nearing US ‘Red Line’ as Protests Turn Deadly

As protests rage across multiple provinces in Iran and reports of large-scale casualties mount, US President Donald Trump has warned that Tehran appears to be crossing a “red line” set by his administration, prompting Washington to consider what he described as “very strong options.”

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked whether Iran had crossed the red line he had drawn over the treatment of protesters. “They’re starting to, it looks like,” he said, signalling growing concern within the White House over the Iranian government’s response to the unrest.

Trump accused Iran’s leadership of ruling through violence and said the situation was being closely monitored at the highest levels of the US government. “There seem to be some people killed that aren’t supposed to be killed,” he said, questioning the legitimacy of those in power. “If you call them leaders, I don’t know if they’re leaders or if they just rule through violence.”

While the US President stopped short of detailing specific actions Washington might take, he confirmed that both civilian and military officials were assessing the situation. “The military’s looking at it. We’re looking at some very strong options; we’ll make a determination,” he said.

According to a report by The New York Times, Trump has been briefed on a range of military contingencies as part of broader planning. These reportedly include targeted strikes on select sites in Tehran, including non-military infrastructure linked to the regime’s internal security apparatus. The briefings are understood to be part of an effort to evaluate diplomatic, economic and military tools aimed at deterring further violence by Iranian authorities.

Trump has also sought to position the United States as supportive of the Iranian people. In a post on Truth Social, he said Iran was looking at “FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,” adding that the US “stands ready to help.”

Iran has been gripped by unrest for more than two weeks, with protests erupting across several provinces over soaring inflation and deepening economic hardship. What began as demonstrations over living costs quickly escalated into widespread unrest, marked by violent clashes between protesters and security forces.

According to Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), at least 544 people have been killed during the demonstrations, while more than 10,681 individuals have been detained and transferred to prisons. The group reported protests at 585 locations across 186 cities in all 31 provinces, underscoring the nationwide scale of the unrest.

The Iranian government has blamed the violence on “rioters” and foreign interference, while insisting that legitimate economic grievances will be addressed. At the same time, internet services have been shut down across the country for the past two days, further restricting the flow of information.

When asked whether the US was considering steps to restore internet access in Iran, including the possible use of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service, Trump said discussions were underway but no decision had yet been made. “We are going to be talking about that. We may get the internet going. We may speak to Elon Musk; I am going to call him,” he said.

The crisis has triggered reactions from leaders around the world. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Iranian authorities to exercise “maximum restraint,” stressing that the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly must be fully respected and protected. In a post on X, Guterres said he was “shocked” by reports of excessive use of force and called for the restoration of communications.

Pope Leo, addressing crowds at the Vatican after his Angelus prayer, said he was praying for peace in Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was closely monitoring developments and voiced strong support for the Iranian people’s struggle against what he described as tyranny.

“Israel is closely monitoring the events unfolding in Iran,” Netanyahu said in a post on X. “The protests for freedom have spread throughout the country. The people of Israel, and the entire world, stand in awe of the immense bravery of Iran’s citizens.”

In the United States, Senator Lindsey Graham publicly backed Trump, declaring that Iran’s “nightmare” was nearing its end. “President Trump is not Obama. Freedom now, freedom forever for the long-suffering Iranian people,” Graham wrote, adding, “Make Iran Great Again.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s exiled former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi issued a direct appeal to Trump, praising him as a “man of peace” and urging continued US support for the Iranian people. Speaking to Fox News, Pahlavi described Iran’s current leadership as a “terror regime” and said the Iranian people would emerge as America’s key partner for peace and prosperity following what he described as the fall of the regime.

“Your words of solidarity have given Iranians the strength to fight for freedom,” Pahlavi said, adding that Iranians would not forget US support in their struggle.

As protests continue and international pressure builds, Washington’s warnings signal that Iran’s handling of the unrest is being watched closely—and that the consequences could extend well beyond its borders.

(yMedia and ANI are the content partners for this story)