"Don't Kill Protesters," Trump Warns Iran

Support for Anti-Government Protests Despite Statements Against Regime Change
Possibility of US-Iran Conflict Reigniting

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to the Iranian government not to kill protesters. This implies the possibility that the U.S. may respond if Iran cracks down on protests against the country's top leadership following Iran's admission of responsibility for the Ukraine passenger plane crash.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper also supported the protests in Iran and joined President Trump's pressure.

On the 12th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump sent a warning to Iran through his Twitter, saying "Do not kill protesters." President Trump emphasized his intention by writing this phrase in capital letters. He stated, "A thousand have been killed or imprisoned by you, and the world is watching," adding, "More importantly, the United States is watching."

He continued, "Turn the internet back on and allow journalists to move freely! Stop killing your great Iranian people!"

This signals that the U.S. may take some action if the Iranian government carries out a harsh crackdown on the anti-government protests emerging within Iran. Despite the U.S. killing of Soleimani and Iran's retaliatory attacks, which seemed to conclude with expanded economic sanctions against Iran, the U.S.-Iran conflict could escalate again.

Earlier, President Trump stated that he did not want regime change in Iran amid rising tensions, but his stance has shifted regarding Iran's downing of the Ukraine passenger plane. The day before, President Trump publicly expressed support for the anti-government protesters in Iran. In a tweet, he said, "To the brave and long-suffering people of Iran, I have stood with you since the beginning of my term, and my administration will continue to do so. We are closely watching your protests and are inspired by your courage."

Through a tweet written in Persian, President Trump urged, "The Iranian people must be allowed to monitor and report on the protests on the ground," expressing concern that "There must be no more massacres of peaceful protesters or internet shutdowns. The whole world is watching."

After the Iranian government announced that it accidentally shot down the Ukraine passenger plane during a retaliatory attack against the U.S., anti-government protests involving hundreds of university students continued for two days in Tehran, the capital of Iran, until the 12th local time.

In video footage obtained by CNN from a protest in front of Amirkabir University in Tehran, chants of "Ali Khamenei, leave Iran" were heard.

Separately from President Trump, U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper also increased pressure on Iran. On the same day, appearing on CBS's "Face the Nation," Secretary Esper actively supported the anti-government protests occurring in Iran. He stated, "The United States stands with the Iranian people. The Iranian people deserve prosperity and the right to live their own lives."