President Donald Trump said the United States is prepared to assist Iranian protesters seeking freedom as demonstrations spread across all provinces and the regime tightens security measures.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump said the United States stands ready to support Iranian protesters seeking freedom from the country’s ruling Islamic regime as widespread demonstrations entered their 14th day and continued to expand across the nation.
Trump issued the statement on Truth Social as unrest intensified in cities throughout Iran, saying the United States is prepared to help protesters pursue freedom from the current leadership. His remarks came amid reports that the United States is ready to help demonstrators as clashes with security forces escalate.
“Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,” Trump wrote. “The USA stands ready to help!!!”
Protests have erupted nationwide, with demonstrators confronting security forces in what officials describe as running battles in streets across Iran’s major cities. In response, authorities have attempted to limit access to the internet and expanded troop and police deployments throughout the country. The exact number of casualties remains unclear, though estimates indicate hundreds may have been killed and nearly 3,000 people detained since the unrest began.
Documentation from monitoring groups shows demonstrations have taken place at 574 locations across 185 cities in all 31 provinces. Images circulating from the protests depict government buildings and mosques set on fire, with crowds chanting slogans including “death to the dictator” and “death to Khamenei,” referring to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Trump has repeatedly warned that the United States would respond if Iranian authorities resorted to lethal force against civilians. Speaking Friday during a meeting with oil executives at the White House, the president said the administration was closely tracking developments and emphasized that U.S. military forces would not be deployed, while making clear that other measures remained available.
“I’ve made this statement very strongly that if they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved,” Trump said. “We’ll be hitting them very hard where it hurts.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also reiterated U.S. support for protesters, posting that Washington stands with “the brave people of Iran.” The State Department separately warned Tehran against testing Trump’s resolve as the demonstrations continue.
Amid the growing unrest, reports have emerged suggesting Khamenei is preparing contingency plans to flee the country if control cannot be restored. According to reporting by London’s Times newspaper, an intelligence assessment outlines a potential escape plan should security forces fail to suppress the uprising.
“Khamenei, 86, plans to escape Tehran with a close circle of up to 20 aides and family, should he see that the army and security called on to quell the unrest are deserting, defecting or failing to follow orders,” The Times reported.
“The ‘plan B’ is for Khamenei and his very close circle of associates and family, including his son and nominated heir apparent, Mojtaba,” an intelligence source told the newspaper.
The report said the plan mirrors the flight of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, who left Damascus for Moscow before opposition forces captured the capital in December 2024. According to the intelligence source, Iranian leadership has “plotted an exit route out of Tehran should they feel the need to escape,” including assembling overseas assets, properties, and cash to facilitate departure.
The Times also reported that Khamenei controls an extensive network of assets, some managed through Setad, a powerful semi-state organization linked to charitable foundations known for opaque financial practices. Estimates cited in the report, based on a 2013 Reuters investigation, placed the total value of those holdings at approximately $95 billion, including properties and companies under Khamenei’s control.
The report further noted that several of Khamenei’s closest aides already have family members living abroad. Among them is Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, who previously warned President Trump against involvement in Iran’s internal affairs. According to The Times, relatives of senior Iranian officials are currently residing in countries including the United States, Canada, and Dubai as uncertainty deepens over the regime’s future.
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