WASHINGTON, Jun 16: US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that at least 42,000 protesters had been killed in Iran during unrest, while stressing that he does not support efforts aimed at regime change.
Speaking during a meeting with Qatar’s Emir, Trump said the reported death toll was linked to protests against the Iranian government.
“At least 42,000 protesters were killed in Iran, killed, because they were protesting,” Trump said.
Trump did not provide details or identify the source of the figure, and Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed the number.
The US president said he had observed previous attempts at regime change around the world and believed such efforts often fail.
“I do not believe in regime change. I have watched regime changes for years, and they never work,” Trump said.
Trump added that Washington was currently engaging with Iranian officials whom he described as “very rational people.”
“The first group, they are all dead; the second group they're dead; a part of the third group is gone and we are dealing with people who, I think, are very rational people,” he said.
His remarks come as Washington and Tehran continue diplomatic discussions over a broader agreement involving Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief and regional security issues.
Human rights groups have repeatedly accused Iranian authorities of using force against protesters during periods of unrest, while Tehran has rejected many international allegations and blamed foreign actors for encouraging instability.
Also, US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he maintains a strong relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but urged him to show greater restraint regarding Lebanon.
Speaking on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France, Trump said he had told Israel that he did not approve of its recent attack on Beirut and suggested that Syria could take a greater role in dealing with Iran-backed Hezbollah rather than Israel directly.
Trump said his relationship with Netanyahu remained positive but emphasized that Lebanon required a more cautious approach.
The comments come amid heightened regional tensions involving Israel, Lebanon, Hezbollah and Iran, as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent further escalation in the region.
Trump’s remarks indicate a possible difference in approach between Washington and Jerusalem over Lebanon policy, with the US president appearing to favor a broader regional solution rather than continued Israeli military action against Hezbollah.
Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant and political group based in Lebanon, has been a central point of confrontation between Israel and Iran-linked forces across the region.
