Donald Trump to Iran, and why

US President Donald Trump thanked his and the US’s nemesis, the Iranian regime, on Friday, January 16.

'Thanks and Respect': Donald Trump to Iran, and why — (Representational image: AI generated)

New Delhi: In an unexpected, out-of-the-blue gesture, US President Donald Trump thanked his and the US’s nemesis, the Iranian regime, on Friday, January 16. He thanked the Iranian government for calling off the executions of ‘hundreds of protesters’ arrested as the law-enforcing agencies took on the protesters in dozens of Iranian cities.

“I greatly respect the fact that all scheduled hangings, which were to take place yesterday (Over 800 of them), have been cancelled by the leadership of Iran. Thank you!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social network.

Iran demonstrations and the ‘Crown Prince’

Demonstrations across Iran have risen since late December 2025, when the initial widespread protests occurred on December 28 and 29 due to the rapid decline of Iran’s economy following the devaluation of the Iranian currency, the rial, and the escalating levels of inflation.

However, the protest has continued into January 2026 as a broader anti-government movement. Internet access and telephone lines in Iran were cut out after demonstrators joined the protest called by the exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi. He is the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last shah of Iran. He is one of the mainstream figures of the Iranian opposition to the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

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Trump’s threat to Iran

Amid this rising unrest, US President Donald Trump sent a stern warning to Iran that if Iran kills or hurts the protesters, there will be severe consequences for Iran from the USA. Although he did not specify what those would be.

The POTUS has repeatedly threatened to take military action against Iran. In an exclusive interview with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil on Tuesday night, President Trump said that he would take “very strong action” against Iran if the regime starts executing those who are protesting against it this week.