‘Locked and loaded’: Trump warns US will intervene if Iran kills peaceful protesters
Washington: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a strong warning to Iran amid ongoing nationwide protests, saying that if Iran kills peaceful protesters, US will come to their rescue.
According to a report published by Hindustan Times, “We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” Trump said, responding to reports of violent crackdowns on protesters.
Protests erupted in Iran on Sunday, beginning in the capital city of Tehran, after shopkeepers and traders took to the streets to protest the government’s handling of the economy. Demonstrators cited a sharp fall in the national currency, rising inflation, and prolonged economic stagnation. Iran’s official inflation rate stood at 42.5 per cent in December.
The protests intensified after students from at least ten universities joined the demonstrations on Tuesday. Markets have been shut amid the ongoing protests and the government declared a holiday due to cold weather, effectively shutting much of the country.
According to reports, at least seven people have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces since the demonstrations began. As per the report, protests have spread to multiple provinces, with some confrontations turning fatal over the past 24 hours.
Protesters reportedly clashed with police, hurled stones at officers, and torched vehicles, Iran's Fars news agency said. They claimed that some armed “disturbers” took advantage of the protests and that firearms were later seized from several individuals.
Iran’s civilian government, led by President Masoud Pezeshkian, has tried to show a willingness to engage with protesters.
“From an Islamic perspective... if we do not resolve the issue of people’s livelihoods, we will end up in Hell,” he said at an event aired on state television.
Iran’s economy has been under sustained pressure for years due to US and Western sanctions linked to its nuclear programme. Regional tensions have further strained state finances, particularly following a 12-day conflict with Israel in June.
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No confusion in BJP-JD(S) alliance: Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru (PTI): Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday dismissed speculation over confusion in the BJP-JD(S) alliance, asserting that there was clarity within them and that discussions on the chief minister post were premature.
Addressing reporters at the party's state office, JP Bhavan, after chairing a preparatory meeting for the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections, he said the immediate priority was to remove what he termed an "anti-people government" in the state and to strengthen the alliance to face upcoming polls.
"This is not the time to discuss who should become the chief minister. There is still time for that. If we speak about it now, it would be like stitching the cradle even before the baby is born," Kumaraswamy said, underlining that leadership questions would be taken up at an appropriate time.
The JD(S) second-in-command said there is still a lot of work to be done and it was not appropriate to speak about such matters now.
"On the issue of alliance, both I and our party are open-minded. When the time comes, we will discuss it on the party platform and take a decision. There is no confusion regarding the alliance, and there will be no confusion in the future. This is my stand," Kumaraswamy said.
"There is a bad government in the state. My objective is to remove it and bring in a pro-people government. Removing this corrupt and bad government is my agenda. The JD(S) and BJP parties will work together to accomplish this task," he added.
Reiterating his stand, Kumaraswamy said, "My objective is to remove the anti-people government in the state. I have been saying this from the beginning."
On reports of internal differences over the alliance and the CM's position, the union minister said he would not respond to every statement made by individuals.
"Some people are speaking about the alliance and the chief minister's position. I do not feel the need to respond to them. If I start answering each of them, people may think I lack maturity. Therefore, I will not speak about it. We will strengthen the alliance together, face the elections together, and bring a pro-people government," he said.
Kumaraswamy added that discussions within parties were natural and not final.
He said there were still two years left for the Assembly elections while there were four to five months left for the local body elections.
The union minister said the JD(S) is also preparing for the municipal elections in Bengaluru city just as other parties.
He clarified that there had been no discussions so far between the two parties specifically on local body or GBA elections.
Earlier, the JD(S) leader chaired a meeting with Members of the Legislative Council, former MLAs and other leaders of his party to review preparations for the GBA elections.
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