HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — Senator Lindsey Graham assured Iranian protesters on Tuesday that President Donald Trump will help them.

“When Donald Trump promises you something, he will deliver,” the South Carolina Republican said during a Fox News interview.

“To the Iranian people, President Trump has your back. Help will be on the way.”

Trump told Iranian protesters earlier this month to keep demonstrating against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s regime, encouraging them on social media to “TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!” Protests had developed from economy-focused events to broader rallies against the administration.

Trump also announced Wednesday that a “massive” armada was heading to Iran. He said on Truth Social the fleet is “ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence,” like the U.S. military was when it arrested Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after the new year.

Graham said during his interview that Khamenei was underestimating Trump at his peril, noting that the U.S. president has demanded the regime stop killing protesters. Thousands of people have reportedly died in the demonstrations, although independent verification is challenging.

“Yeah, he’s killing his people, but I think he’ll be out the killing people [business] pretty soon,” the senator added. “I think a new day is coming for Iran.”

Khamenei has defended his administration’s response to the protests, some of which have become violent, although he doesn’t plan on leading the country into war. He said in an X post earlier this month that rioters needed to be “put in their place.”

“Protesting is legitimate, but protesting is different from rioting,” Khamenei wrote. “We talk with protesters. The officials must talk with the protesters. But, there’s no point in talking with a rioter.”

Khamenei has also accused the U.S. of trying to control Iran. The Trump administration’s encouragement of protests there was a prelude to a more extensive operation, he claimed.

“From the beginning of the Islamic Revolution until today, the US has lost its dominance over Iran,” he wrote in a Jan. 17 post. “And they want to bring Iran under their military, political & economic domination again.”

Trump said Wednesday that Iran needs to reach a deal on its nuclear weapons program or risk an attack much worse than the U.S.’s June strike on the country’s facilities.

“Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal - NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS - one that is good for all parties,” the president wrote in his Truth Social post. “Time is running out, it is truly of the essence! As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL!”

Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.