President Trump Explains Why the Iranian People Haven’t Risen Up

President Trump said he understands why many Iranians have not yet risen up against their government as Operation Epic Fury moves into its third week.

Although widespread protests could help prevent the current regime from holding onto power, the president emphasized the severe danger ordinary citizens face if they attempt to demonstrate. According to Trump, the government has warned that anyone who takes part in protests will be shot. Those threats carry weight after security forces reportedly killed more than 30,000 demonstrators earlier this year.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, President Trump described Iran’s leadership as violent and ruthless. He said the regime and the forces that support it—including the military and police—have made clear that protests will be met with lethal force.

“The people running the country are brutal,” Trump said, explaining that authorities have publicly declared that protesters would be killed. He noted that ordinary citizens are unarmed and placed in an extremely difficult position when faced with such threats.

Trump pointed to reports indicating that around 32,000 protesters were killed during earlier demonstrations, adding that the true number could be significantly higher. He said those who took to the streets had hoped to see political change after what he described as years of damage done to the country by its leaders.

Given those circumstances, the president said it is understandable that many Iranians have not returned to the streets despite their frustration with the government.

Trump had previously urged the Iranian people to reclaim control of their country when he announced the start of Operation Epic Fury, calling on them to take action once the United States had finished confronting the regime.

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