Trump Administration’s Persian-Language Messaging Spurs Iranian Protesters Amid Renewed U.S. Pressure
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a marked departure from the previous administration’s approach, the Trump administration has intensified its Persian-language messaging aimed at Iran, emboldening protesters amid widespread unrest across the country. Activists and analysts say this shift reflects a more aggressive U.S. posture toward Tehran, contrasting sharply with what many describe as the muted responses of the Obama-Biden years.
Since the outbreak of nationwide protests against Iran’s ruling clerics, the U.S. State Department has amplified its criticism of the Iranian regime through its Persian-language social media account, @USABehFarsi. This account has echoed President Donald Trump’s forceful warnings, including a recent post stating, “If Iran shots (sic) and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.” A State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital that “President Trump’s latest truth social post regarding Iran speaks for itself.”
The messaging comes as reports indicate that protesters have seized control of streets in Abdanan, located in Ilam province in western Iran, chanting slogans such as “Death to Khamenei” and “This year is a year of blood, Seyed Ali (Khamenei) will be overthrown.” Videos shared with Iran International show the intensity of the demonstrations, underscoring the depth of public anger against the regime.
The State Department’s Persian-language account issued a stark warning to Tehran’s rulers, posting a black-and-white image of President Trump alongside his national security team observing elite U.S. forces capturing the former Iran-backed Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. The caption read, “President Trump is a man of action. If you didn’t know before, now you do. Don’t mess with President Trump.” This imagery and messaging appear designed to signal U.S. resolve and readiness to intervene if Iran’s regime violently suppresses peaceful protesters.
Iranian-American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad told Fox News that Trump’s messaging has provided a “strong message” of hope to those opposing the regime. “The protesters in Iran have a clear demand for freedom and justice,” she said.
Observers note a stark contrast with the Obama administration’s handling of Iranian protests, particularly during the 2009 Green Movement when demonstrators chanted, “Obama, are you with us or with them?” British-Iranian journalist Potkin Azarmehr highlighted this difference, stating, “Any international support, whether at grassroots level or government level, is encouraging. Knowing that the world knows about you is critical.” He also questioned the absence of Western activist elites in current protests, asking whether they tacitly support the regime.
Iran analyst Alireza Nader praised the State Department’s current stance, emphasizing that “the alternative to the current regime will come from inside Iran,” and that “Iranians will choose their own future.”
This renewed U.S. messaging aligns with broader national security priorities, as the Biden administration’s predecessor sought to counter Iran’s regional influence and human rights abuses more assertively. The U.S. Department of State has long condemned Tehran’s crackdown on dissent, but the current tone and directness represent a significant policy shift.
As protests continue to spread, the international community watches closely. The U.S. government’s amplified warnings and support for Iranian demonstrators underscore a commitment to human rights and democratic aspirations within Iran, even as Tehran’s leadership faces mounting internal and external pressures.
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