It was just a matter of time: the worsening economic and human rights conditions in Iran finally drove the citizens to end 2025 and begin 2026 with mass protests demanding change, during which at least eight people are reported to have been killed.

And Donald Trump — ever on the lookout for an opportunity to stick his nose in where it doesn’t belong, but where he smells money to be made — has warned the Iranian authorities against killing peaceful protesters, saying that Washington “will come to their rescue,” and that “We are locked and loaded and ready to go.” [Jaroslav Lukiv, BBC, January 2, 2026.]

Two days ago, that may have sounded like just another of his manic midnight tweets. But yesterday changed all that, when he made good on his threats to invade Venezuela . . . even going so far as to kidnap President Maduro and his wife.

Though his rationale is that his action against Venezuela is part of his war on illegal drugs and the need to bring down a murderous regime, everyone knows what it’s really about: it’s about the massive oil reserves that Trump and his cronies will now “invest” in — and profit hugely from — while Trump “runs” Venezuela “until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.” [BBC, January 3, 2026.]

Like Venezuela, Iran also sits on huge crude oil reserves — reportedly the fourth largest in the world — as well as substantial supplies of natural gas. And that is a temptation that would be difficult, if not impossible, for him to resist. On Friday, January 2nd, he posted on Truth Social:

“If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue.” [Id.]

But Iran is not Venezuela. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded that Trump should “be careful” of potentially causing chaos throughout the Middle East. And his adviser, Ali Larijani, issued this additional warning:

“Trump should know that US interference in this internal matter would mean destabilising the entire region and destroying America’s interests.” [Id.]

Still, in an eerie echo of the 1979 protests that expanded into a full-fledged revolution and overthrew the last Shah, the Iranian protesters have not been silenced. One protester, speaking anonymously, told the BBC that they have been asking for US support for years, because the security forces “. . . are afraid and they shake to the bones when Mr Trump says something . . . [They] believe that if Mr Trump says something, he will do it . . . [and they] know if anything happens, they would have to take the consequences.” [Id.]

But those idealistic young protesters may be pinning their hopes on an America that used to bring freedom and democracy to the oppressed peoples of the world . . . not the bastardized version of America that has emerged under Trump’s regime.

I’m not suggesting the Iranian people should give up the fight for reforms; but they may want to rethink the best way to achieve their goals. And inviting Donald Trump into their home . . . well, let’s just say it might not be the answer to their prayers.

Consider what he’s already done to his own country.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
1/4/26