U.S. President Donald Trump said Iranians are afraid to depose their regime because the government would kill civilians [1].
The statement highlights the administration's view on the internal stability of Iran and the perceived level of violence the regime is willing to employ to maintain power.
Speaking via Sky News Australia, Trump said that the willingness of the Iranian regime to kill large numbers of people deters the population from attempting an overthrow [1]. He said that the fear of violence is a primary obstacle for those seeking change within the country.
"I think they’re afraid of being shot," Trump said [1].
During the discussion, Trump referenced a specific figure regarding civilian casualties. He mentioned a count of 52,000 deaths [1], saying that he had not previously been aware that the regime would be willing to kill that many people.
"I had no idea that they [the Iranian regime] would be willing to kill 52,000 – or even any people," Trump said [1].
The President characterized the Iranian government as a terrorist regime [1]. This description aligns with his broader arguments regarding the regime's tactics of intimidation, and the use of force against its own citizens to ensure political survival.
“"I think they’re afraid of being shot."”
This statement reflects a strategic assessment by the U.S. President that the Iranian regime's capacity for mass violence serves as a psychological barrier to domestic revolution. By citing a specific figure of 52,000 deaths, Trump emphasizes the high cost of internal dissent, suggesting that the threat of state-led massacres is a primary reason why organized uprisings have not successfully deposed the current leadership.
