Trump: We are 100% Supportive of the People of Iran

The President of the United States states that since his administration withdrew from the JCPOA, widespread protests and demonstrations have occurred in Iran. Donald Trump claims that the U.S. government is 100% supportive of the people of Iran. On July 16, following a meeting with his Russian counterpart, he participated in an interview with Fox News, part of which addressed Iran, the relationship between Russia and Iran, and the nuclear agreement. Trump stated that Vladimir Putin 'probably wants to preserve the JCPOA because it is good for Russia... and for many countries that do business with Iran, but it is not good for this country (the U.S.) and ultimately for the whole world.' He then referred to the economic situation and protests in Iran, saying: 'They have riots in all cities. Inflation has taken over; not that you want to hurt anyone except the regime (in power in Iran). We will show the people of Iran that we are 100% supportive of them.' The U.S. President noted that protests in Iran are 'probably broader than any time they have had before.' Trump stated, 'All of this happened since I scrapped the [nuclear] deal.' Donald Trump, a staunch critic of the agreement formed during Barack Obama's presidency among the U.S., Russia, China, France, Britain, Germany, and Iran, withdrew from the JCPOA in May. At that time, he criticized the JCPOA, missile programs, and the actions of the Islamic Republic, stating that the U.S. would 'impose the highest level of economic sanctions on Iran.' Russia, along with other parties to the nuclear agreement with Iran, has called for the preservation of the JCPOA and has made efforts in this regard, although it remains unclear how effective these efforts will be with the return of U.S. sanctions. Over the past months, various protests and demonstrations have emerged regarding the economic situation, political conditions, environmental issues, or the quality and scarcity of drinking water in different cities in Iran. Protests over the economic situation in Iran took a political turn, featuring harsh slogans against senior officials of the Islamic Republic, Iran's presence in other regional countries, or even in support of the Pahlavi dynasty. Donald Trump has stated in some instances that internal events and the performance of the Islamic Republic outside Iran's borders are related to his withdrawal from the JCPOA. For example, in mid-June, he said that his administration's withdrawal from the nuclear agreement caused a change in Tehran's behavior in the region. In January, Trump stated that protesting citizens in Iran are fed up with government corruption and emphasized that 'Iran, despite its very bad nuclear deal with the Obama administration, has failed at all levels. The great people of Iran have been suppressed for years. They are hungry for food and freedom.' In February, during a speech to Congress about the general state of the country, he stated that the U.S. stands with the people of Iran in their 'struggle for freedom.' The U.S. President's remarks and his withdrawal from the JCPOA have faced repeated criticism from officials of the Islamic Republic. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman stated, 'The U.S., disregarding a multilateral treaty and a UN resolution and even ignoring a large segment of the opinions of U.S. elites, unilaterally and with a self-centered decision, trampled on an international understanding.' The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic accused the U.S., Britain, and Israel of organizing protests in Iran and claimed that a 'wealthy' regional government funded these gatherings. Trump's withdrawal from the JCPOA has faced various reactions within the U.S. Barack Obama, the former president, described this decision as a 'mistake.' Several officials and senior figures in the Democratic Party criticized this action and warned of the 'dangers' arising from it. On the other hand, senior Republican figures supported it and praised it. Kevin McCarthy, the Republican majority leader in the House of Representatives, stated, 'This is exactly what he (Trump) promised during his campaign.' European governments allied with the U.S. have supported the preservation of the JCPOA but have also aligned with the U.S. in criticizing Iran's missile program and actions in the region.