Trump warns of military action against Iran, 538 killed in protests

US President Donald Trump is considering taking military action against Iran. He made this warning while talking to reporters on Sunday (January 11). Trump made this comment in response to a question about the US position and possible response in the context of the large number of people who have lost their lives in the ongoing anti-government protests in Iran.

The US-based human rights organization Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that the death toll in the ongoing protests in Iran has risen to 538. Regarding the death of so many protesters, reporters asked Trump if Iran had crossed the line? Trump, who was on Air Force One, replied, “It looks like they (Iran) started that.”

Trump also said that the US is monitoring the situation very seriously and the military is also monitoring it around the clock. “We are considering some very difficult options. We will make a decision when the time comes,” he said. His statement has raised fears of renewed tension in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Tehran has warned of a strong response if the United States attacks Iranian territory. On Sunday, Iran advised the United States not to "miscalculate", saying that if Washington attacks, it will retaliate against Israel and US military bases in the Middle East. This has raised the risk of the situation becoming more conflict-prone.

The number of casualties in Iran in clashes between protesters and law enforcement agencies is gradually increasing. The news agency Reuters, citing HRANA, reported that most of the dead were protesters. However, Reuters has not been able to independently verify the number. It is worth noting that the Iranian government has not officially released any information on casualties so far. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the internet has been shut down in the country since last Thursday.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that "rioters" should not be given the opportunity to destabilize society. However, he also acknowledges that protest is the right of the people. “People should believe that we (the government) want to establish justice,” he said in a speech on Saturday.

Iran is currently facing its largest anti-government protests since 2022. The movement, which began in protest of inflation, unemployment and a financial crisis, quickly took a political turn. The protests, which began on December 28, have already spread to various cities in the country. Protesters have taken to the streets demanding the end of the current regime.

In the past few days, President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to “intervene” in Iran. At the same time, he has warned the Iranian leadership not to use excessive force against the protesters. On Saturday, Trump also said that the United States is “ready to help” the protesters, which has sparked renewed discussions in the international arena.