"Iran must do with Trump what they did to Maduro," a senior official said.

21:36, Thu, Jan 15, 2026 Updated: 21:41, Thu, Jan 15, 2026

Unrest In Iran As Protesters Demonstrate Over Economic Crisis

Protests against the regime started on December 28. (Image: Getty)

A senior Iranian official said his country should capture US President Donald Trump in a Maduro-style mission.

Hassan Rahimpour Azghadi, who is a member of Iran's Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, said: "The Islamic Republic should do to Trump what was done to Maduro. This filthy person, the wild dog, if we capture him and slap him twice, he will howl like a dog." He added: "Given Trump's stance, any kind of operation inside US territory, in all its states and cities including destructive operations like those they carry out here, would be permissible… against American officials and those linked to them,” Azghadi said.

“Iran must do with Trump what they did to Maduro. Trump must pay the price during or even after his presidency and I personally hope Trump would be captured,” as quoted by Iran International English.

Recently President Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene in support of protesters in Iran, where thousands are reported to have been killed in a brutal crackdown on demonstrations against clerical rule. Pro-Iranian regime demonstrators in Kargil displayed coffins with Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu's faces on them as tensions boil ahead of an expected American strike, and the Iranian state TV has aired a threat to kill Donald Trump as the President reportedly plans strikes on the US.

But earlier this week, he also said: "We have been informed by very important sources on the other side, and they said the killing has stopped and the executions won’t take place." Mr Trump previously urged protesters to continue their demonstations as "help is on the way" amid reports that he was mulling military intervention. He wrote on Truth Social: "Iranian Patriots, keep protesting – take over your institutions!!! … help is on its way." Further reinforcing beliefs Mr Trump may still launch an attack on the regime, on Thursday afternoon Senator Lindsey Graham told people to "stay tuned" after he rubbished reports the US President had signalled he didn't intend to bomb Iran.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi sought to tone down the rhetoric, urging the US to find a solution through negotiation.

Asked by Fox News what he would say to Mr Trump, Mr Araghchi said: “My message is: Between war and diplomacy, diplomacy is a better way, although we don’t have any positive experience from the United States. But still diplomacy is much better than war.” The change in tone by the US and Iran came hours after the chief of the Iranian judiciary said the government must act quickly to punish the thousands who have been detained.

The latest news from around the world Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Protests in Iran began on December 28 over the ailing economy and have transformed into the most significant challenge to the regime for several years. The internet and telephone lines have been cut off, but footage of events in Tehran and other cities has made it to social media.

Crowds have frequently been heard chanting slogans against the country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. There are has also been an outbreak of support for Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's late former shah (king). The regime has responded with a brutal and vicious crackdown, gunning down demonstrators and reportedly killing over 2,000 people.