US President Donald Trump was photographed holding a signed “Make Iran Great Again” hat alongside Republican Senator Lindsey Graham as widespread demonstrations continued across Iran against the government’s political and economic corruption.In a photo posted Monday on Graham’s X account, the senator was seen giving a thumbs up next to Trump and held a black hat with his signature.”Another great day with @POTUS who has brought America back, stronger than ever, at home and abroad,” Graham wrote. “God bless our Commander in Chief and all of the brave men and women who serve under him.” He added, “I’m proud to be an American. God bless and protect the brave people of Iran who are standing up to tyranny.”The protests in Iran began over economic hardship on December 28 and have now spread to more than 220 locations across 26 of Iran’s 31 provinces, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. At least 20 people have been killed, and more than 990 arrested. Demonstrators have been chanting anti-government slogans as the country faces a deepening economic crisis. Inflation is around 40 per cent, and the cost of staples such as meat and rice has surged. US President Trump has issued warnings to the Iranian government over the crackdown on protesters. “We’re watching it very closely. If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they’re going to get hit very hard by the United States,” he said on Sunday.Iranian authorities have vowed to respond to the protests while listening to legitimate grievances.Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the protesters “rioters.”Video footage from BBC Persian showed protests in Tehran, Yasuj, Sari, Ilam, Arak, Hamedan, Amol, Lahijan, Kermanshah, Malekshahi, Semnan and Noorabad. Protesters were seen chanting “Freedom, freedom, freedom” and “Death to the dictator.” In some cities, security forces opened fire, including outside a government compound in Malekshahi, killing at least four protesters.The current unrest is the most widespread in Iran since the 2022 protests triggered by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, which resulted in over 550 deaths and 20,000 detentions.
