Trump says Iranians too afraid to rise up against regime: ‘They shot and killed 32,000 protesters’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said that Iranian citizens are too terrified to protest against their government because the regime has brutally suppressed dissent, including by killing at least 32,000 demonstrators in recent weeks.

Speaking to reporters during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One on March 15 as he flew from Florida back to Joint Base Andrews, Trump responded to a question about why Iranians weren't rising up en masse as some had anticipated.

Trump says Iran protesters threatened with death

"You're dealing with thugs, you're dealing with horrible people, you're dealing with people that are violent and vicious, and that's the leadership and the people right under them, their military or their police," Trump said.

"And they've notified everybody and they put out statements that if you protest you're going to be shot and killed. The protesters have no guns."

He continued, "And I know you're a brave person, but I don't think you'd be protesting. And so I think it's very hard for them to protest. I fully understand it. They said, if you protest, you will be killed. A week ago, and two weeks ago, they killed 32,000 protesters. At least, we think the number is much higher than that. They shot and killed 32,000 protesters who were greatly enthusiastic and want to see a change because they've destroyed the country. The people that are running it destroyed the country."

Trump added, "Think of it, they shot and killed much more than 32,000 people. Now they put out a notice two days ago that we're going to kill, that we're going to shoot and kill any protestor. And they don't have guns, meaning the protestors have no guns. So I can fully understand why they're not doing it."

Trump says US has 'essentially defeated Iran'

In the same exchange with reporters, Trump boasted that US forces have inflicted severe damage on Iran's capabilities in coordination with Israel.

He declared that the US had "essentially defeated" Iran, saying the regime's air defenses, air force, and drone production had been "heavily damaged" or "wiped out" through targeted strikes.

Trump also touched on negotiations, noting that Iran appeared eager for a deal but might not yet accept US terms. He said those terms would start with guarantees that Tehran would never develop nuclear weapons.

He also accused Iranian authorities of spreading AI-generated disinformation, including fabricated images and videos showing attacks on US assets like the USS Abraham Lincoln or nonexistent "kamikaze boats."

They said they attacked the USS Abraham Lincoln… they showed pictures of it burning," Trump said. "It was never attacked." The president further slammed American media outlets for amplifying such false Iranian narratives.

Trump highlights US-Israel coordination on Iran

The president also spoke of close US-Israel coordination in the campaign, describing his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "extraordinary." He said the two countries were "working with us" seamlessly.

Trump shrugged off any credit disputes. "He will tell you we’re leading the whole thing, doesn't matter, the main thing is to get it done," he said. He also addressed security concerns at home, saying the US is monitoring potential Iranian "sleeper cells" and threats.