A month of Trump’s contradictory stances on Iran: Report
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Trump moves from backing Iranian protests to threatening military action over nuclear program.
- Analysts warn policy inconsistency fuels uncertainty and regional tension.
Over the past month, President Donald Trump has repeatedly shifted his approach to Iran, moving from vocal support for domestic protests to warnings of military action aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
The changes, tracked by reporter Jonathan Yerushalmi, reveal a lack of consistent US strategy in responding to the Iranian threat, according to The Guardian.
Read more: Sources reveal Trump’s secret plan to strike Iran
From Protest Support to Military Threats
In late December, following six months of US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly warned Trump of Iran’s nuclear resurgence. The president threatened Tehran with attacks "tougher than before" if Israel’s claims were confirmed but expressed hope to avoid direct military action.
Read more: ‘Israeli’ military intel chief in Washington to discuss strikes on Iran: Axios
The first major pivot occurred on January 2, when widespread protests erupted across Iranian cities over skyrocketing prices, 40% inflation, and a collapsing currency. Trump framed the US as a protector of demonstrators, declaring on Truth Social that the country was “ready and armed” to intervene if protesters were harmed.
“Make Iran Great Again”
Trump linked US opposition to Iran with domestic unrest, vowing to support Iranians in “securing freedom” and urging citizens to hold killers accountable. He canceled meetings with Iranian officials until violence ceased, declaring, “Help is on the way. Let’s make Iran great again.” Analysts warned that the US and Israel might exploit protests to push regime change.
Sudden Retreat and Confusion
By mid-January, Trump’s stance shifted again. He claimed that killings and executions had stopped, despite reports to the contrary. Crackdowns continued, and arrests increased, leaving many Iranians feeling abandoned and confused. Human rights group HRANA estimated 6,126 protest-related deaths, with concerns that the actual toll is higher.
Return to Nuclear Concerns
The focus turned back to Iran’s nuclear program on January 28. Trump threatened military force unless Tehran negotiated a deal to prevent nuclear weapons, dropping references to domestic protests entirely. The US deployed aircraft carriers and destroyers to the region, signaling heightened readiness.
Iranian officials responded sharply. Supreme Leader adviser Ali Shamkhani warned any US attack would trigger retaliatory strikes against the US, Israel, and allies, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iranian forces were “ready to respond swiftly and decisively.”
The Guardian concludes that in just one month, US policy shifted from “protecting protesters” to “nuclear deterrence,” marking a volatile chapter in Iran-US relations with unpredictable consequences.
