{"id":238,"date":"2026-01-10T05:41:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-10T05:41:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worldwatchalert.com\/?p=238"},"modified":"2026-01-10T05:41:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T05:41:41","slug":"trump-warns-iran-as-protests-escalate-and-internet-is-shut-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.worldwatchalert.com\/?p=238","title":{"rendered":"Trump Warns Iran as Protests Escalate and Internet Is Shut Down"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DUBAI:<\/strong> US President Donald Trump on Friday issued a fresh warning to Iran\u2019s leadership as anti-government protests intensified across the country and authorities imposed an internet blackout in an effort to contain the unrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Videos circulating online showed demonstrations spreading to multiple cities, while rights groups reported dozens of deaths during nearly two weeks of protests. Iranian state television broadcast images of clashes and fires, and the semi-official Tasnim news agency said several police officers were killed overnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump, who carried out air strikes on Iran last summer, warned Tehran against using force on protesters. \u201cYou better not start shooting because we\u2019ll start shooting too,\u201d he said. He added that he hoped protesters would remain safe amid what he described as a dangerous situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Trump said he was not inclined to meet US-based Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran\u2019s late shah, suggesting Washington was not yet backing a specific opposition figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei struck a defiant tone in a televised address, vowing that the government would not retreat. He accused protesters of acting on behalf of foreign powers and opposition groups abroad, while Iran\u2019s public prosecutor warned that those accused of sabotage could face the death penalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities confirmed that the nationwide internet shutdown was ordered by security agencies due to the prevailing situation. The blackout significantly limited information leaving the country and disrupted international communications and flights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The protests, initially driven by economic grievances, have evolved into direct challenges to Iran\u2019s leadership. The rial has lost around half its value against the dollar over the past year, while inflation exceeded 40% in December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iranian rights group HRANA reported at least 62 deaths since protests began on December 28, including 48 demonstrators and 14 security personnel. Rights groups have accused authorities of using lethal force against protesters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leaders of France, Britain and Germany issued a joint statement condemning the killing of demonstrators and urging restraint. The United Nations also expressed concern over the loss of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Images aired by Iranian media showed burning vehicles and fires at banks and metro stations. In the southeastern city of Zahedan, rights groups said security forces opened fire on protesters following Friday prayers, injuring several people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While President Masoud Pezeshkian has previously urged a measured response and announced limited economic relief measures, Khamenei adopted a far harsher stance, accusing protesters of seeking to please the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran\u2019s UN ambassador blamed Washington for destabilising the situation, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the likelihood of foreign military intervention remained low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite calls from exiled opposition figures for larger demonstrations, analysts say Iran\u2019s opposition remains fragmented, even as public anger continues to mount amid economic hardship and political repression.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

DUBAI: US President Donald Trump on Friday issued a fresh warning to Iran\u2019s leadership as anti-government protests intensified across the country and authorities imposed an internet blackout in an effort… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":239,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[100,101,57,84,85,99],"class_list":["post-238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world","tag-donald-trump","tag-internet-shutdown","tag-iran","tag-middle-east","tag-protests","tag-us-iran-relations"],"yoast_head":"\nTrump Warns Iran as Protests Escalate and Internet Is Shut Down - World Watch Alert<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"US President Donald Trump warns Iran\u2019s leaders as protests spread nationwide, dozens are killed, and authorities impose an internet blackout.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.worldwatchalert.com\/?p=238\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Trump Warns Iran as Protests Escalate and Internet Is Shut Down - 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