In early January 2020, the geopolitical landscape surrounding Iran was highly volatile, marked by widespread anti-government protests and a notable shift in rhetoric from then-US President Donald Trump. The unrest in Iran intensified following the US killing of top Iranian General Qasem Soleimani on January 3, 2020, and was further fueled by public anger after the Iranian military's admission of accidentally shooting down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 on January 8, 2020, which sparked intense public outrage and demonstrations across Iran. Amidst these escalating demonstrations, Trump issued a clear and aggressive warning on or around January 9, 2020, stating that if Iranian authorities engaged in lethal force against protesters, the United States would 'start shooting too,' signaling a readiness for military retaliation. This statement intensified global concern about a potential US military strike on Tehran, with numerous reports indicating that the Trump administration was indeed evaluating 'very strong' military options as a response to the unfolding crackdown. However, a few days later, around January 12, 2020, Trump announced a perceived change in dynamics, claiming that Iranian leaders had initiated contact, indicating that 'they want to negotiate'. This apparent pivot, from direct threats of military force to suggesting diplomatic engagement, underscored the complex and often contradictory nature of US foreign policy towards Iran during his presidency. The protests themselves led to a significant number of casualties and arrests, with human rights organizations reporting hundreds killed amid severe internet restrictions imposed by Iranian authorities to quell the unrest. The WION article's headline effectively captured this evolving and high-stakes situation, reflecting both Trump's confrontational stance and his later assertion of a path to dialogue, all set against the backdrop of a deeply fractured Middle East.