U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, saying there will be severe consequences if any attempt is made to harm him. The warning comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran and a continued buildup of U.S. military forces across the Middle East.

At the same time, disturbing testimonies from Iran’s protests continue to surface, describing brutal repression on the streets. As U.S. forces reinforce their presence in the region, questions are growing over whether the buildup is meant as deterrence — or signals preparations for a possible escalation.