Trump again threatens Iran with ‘hell’ if it kills protesters amid violent crackdown |
US President Donald Trump reiterated his threat on Thursday of retribution against Iran should the Islamic Republic target protesters who have been taking to the streets in large numbers to demonstrate against the regime over the past two weeks.
His comments coincided with the biggest protests yet of nearly two weeks of rallies across Iran, as authorities cut internet access and the death toll from a crackdown mounted.
“I have let them know that if they start killing people, which they tend to do during their riots… we’re going to hit them very hard,” Trump said in an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt.
When the radio host noted that dozens have indeed been killed in the protests, Trump countered that some of those deaths were caused by stampedes, and not necessarily caused by law enforcement.
“I’m not sure I can necessarily hold somebody responsible for that, but… they’ve been told very strongly — even more strongly than I’m speaking to you right now — that if they do that, they’re going to have to pay hell,” the president said.
Trump first issued a similar threat last Friday, when he warned that if Iran “violently kills peaceful protesters,” then the US would “come to their rescue.”
At least 45 protesters, including eight minors, have been killed since the rallies began on December 28, rights groups said........