Protests that erupted in late December over Iran’s troubled economy have escalated into the most significant challenge to the Iranian government in recent years, claiming the lives of at least 62 individuals.

President Trump, addressing the situation, warned Iran with a stern message, stating, “They have been told very strongly, even more strongly than I’m speaking to you right now, that if they do that, they’re going to have to pay hell.”

When queried about the possibility of meeting with Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, Trump was non-committal. “I’m not sure that it would be appropriate at this point to do that as president,” he remarked. “I think that we should let everybody go out there, and we see who emerges.”

During an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, which aired Thursday night, Trump went so far as to suggest that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, might be considering leaving the country. “He’s looking to go someplace,” Trump noted. “It’s getting very bad.”

Speaking in an interview with Sean Hannity aired Thursday night on Fox News, Trump went as far as to suggest Khamenei may want to leave Iran.

“He’s looking to go someplace,” Trump said. “It’s getting very bad.”