Washington, D.C. — Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) publicly rebuked President Donald Trump’s warning to Iran over its crackdown on anti-government protests, arguing that the president’s rhetoric is driven less by human rights concerns and more by geopolitical and energy interests.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that the United States would “rescue” Iranian protesters if the government uses violence to suppress demonstrations sparked by worsening economic conditions. The remarks came as protests spread across Iran, with human rights groups reporting dozens of arrests and multiple deaths linked to clashes with security forces.
Massie responded on X, listing objections to Trump’s statement. He argued that the United States should prioritize domestic challenges rather than intervene in another country’s internal unrest and emphasized that any military action against Iran would require congressional authorization. “This threat isn’t about freedom of speech in Iran,” Massie wrote. “It’s about the dollar, oil, and Israel.”
Iran’s role as a major oil producer has long shaped U.S. foreign policy calculations. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Iran ranked as the fourth-largest crude oil producer among OPEC nations in 2023, underscoring why developments there carry global economic implications.
Trump’s comments followed meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and renewed warnings over Iran’s missile and nuclear programs. Iranian officials responded by warning that U.S. troops would become “legitimate targets” if military action were taken.
Massie has consistently opposed unauthorized military action, including last year’s U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, which he said were conducted without evidence of an imminent threat.
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