President Donald Trump answers reporter questions with Vice President JD Vance, left, during a meeting with oil executives in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo)
US President Donald Trump warned Iran’s leaders on Friday against using force on protesters, saying the United States would respond if authorities opened fire, as demonstrations spread across the country and Tehran cut internet access to curb unrest.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Iran was in “big trouble” and that Washington was closely watching the situation. He said the US would “hit them very hard where it hurts” if the government cracked down violently, while adding that he did not mean sending troops on the ground.
“I just hope the protesters in Iran are going to be safe, because that’s a very dangerous place right now,” Trump said. “You’d better not start shooting, because we’ll start shooting too.”
Internet blackout as protests spread
Iranian authorities shut down internet and phone services as protests continued into a second week, limiting the flow of information out of the country. Flights between Iran and Dubai were also cancelled, airport data showed.
Iran was plunged into a nationwide internet blackout on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, internet monitoring groups said, amid widespread protests over dire economic conditions and anger at the Islamic Republic. (The New York Times)
State television broadcast images of fires and clashes, while the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that several police officers had been killed overnight. Reuters verified videos showing crowds marching in Tehran and other cities, with some chanting slogans against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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Rights groups said at least 62 people have been killed since protests began on December 28, including 48 demonstrators and 14 members of the security forces, according to the HRANA rights group.
Trump said earlier this week he was not inclined to meet Reza Pahlavi, the US-based son of Iran’s last Shah, suggesting Washington was not yet backing any single opposition leader.
While some protesters have voiced support for restoring the monarchy, analysts say opposition groups outside Iran remain divided and lack clear leadership inside the country.
Khamenei blames US for unrest
In a televised address, Supreme Leader Khamenei accused protesters of acting on behalf of foreign powers, including the United States. He said the Islamic Republic would not retreat and warned against what he called “vandalism”.
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Iran’s public prosecutor said those accused of sabotage or violent clashes with security forces could face the death penalty.
Iran’s UN ambassador accused Washington of “destabilising practices” and said US statements were helping turn peaceful protests into violence.
Europe and UN condemn killings
The leaders of France, Britain and Germany issued a joint statement condemning the killing of protesters and urged Iranian authorities to show restraint.
The United Nations said it was disturbed by the loss of life. “People anywhere in the world have a right to demonstrate peacefully,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Economy at heart of anger
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Iranians protest a 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini’s death after she was detained by the morality police, in Tehran. (Photo: AP)
The protests began over economic hardship, with Iran facing high inflation and a sharp fall in its currency last year. They have since grown into wider demonstrations against the country’s leadership.
Iran has faced repeated waves of unrest in recent decades, including mass protests in 2009, 2019 and during the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, which was eventually suppressed by security forces.
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President Donald Trump answers reporter questions with Vice President JD Vance, left, during a meeting with oil executives in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo) 
