US Senator Lindsey Graham warned Iran’s ruler that he would face deadly consequences if the country’s security forces continued their crackdown on protesters, the top US political website The Hill reports.
At least 36 people have been killed and more than 2,000 detained after large-scale protests erupted last month over weak economic conditions. It comes as the head of Iran’s Central Bank resigned following the country’s currency falling to a record low.
In a Tuesday appearance on Fox News’s Hannity, Sen Graham suggested President Trump would order the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei if the suppression escalates.
“To the people of Iran: We stand with you tonight,” Sen Graham said. “And to the Ayatollah: You need to understand, if you keep killing your people who are demanding a better life, Donald J Trump is gonna kill you.”
“Help is on the way,” he added, directing his comments to Iranian citizens.
Sen Graham, a long-time Trump ally, pointed to the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as proof of what may happen to other world leaders if they ‘undercut’ Trump.
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