Trump poses wearing 'Make Iran Great Again' hat following Maduro kidnap

US President Donald Trump was photographed on Monday holding a hat reading "Make Iran Great Again", fuelling concerns that Iran could be the next US target following the abduction of Venezuela's president.

The photograph, shared on social media by US Senator Lindsey Graham, shows Trump smiling alongside the senator while holding the hat. Graham praised Trump as the president "who has brought America back, stronger than ever, at home and abroad".

"God bless and protect the brave people of Iran who are standing up to tyranny," Graham added, referring to the protests in Iran, which have now entered their 10th day.

The slogan, a play on Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign, appeared to signal support for regime change in Iran, as the president continues to issue threats against Tehran following the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a close Iranian ally.

Graham, a long-time Trump ally, has openly called for the Iranian government to be overthrown, saying the US president "has not turned his back on the people of Iran".

At least 35 people have been killed and more than 1,200 detained during the protests, which erupted over spiralling living costs amid a sharp economic decline driven by US and UN sanctions and the recent 12-day war involving Israel, later joined by the United States.

In response to the unrest, Trump warned Iran on Sunday that it would be "hit very hard" if further protesters were killed. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei responded that Tehran "will not give in to the enemy".

Israeli media have meanwhile reported that the US is weighing "some intervention" in Iran in response to the protests.

Following the capture of Maduro, Iran condemned the move as "illegal" and said its relations with Venezuela remain unchanged, calling for the deposed leader's immediate release.

After months of threats and pressure, the US bombed Venezuela and abducted Maduro and his wife on alleged drug trafficking charges. Trump later said Washington would "run" the country and gain access to its vast oil reserves.

Alongside Iran and Venezuela, Trump has also threatened to annex Greenland, insisting the US must take control of the territory for "security reasons". Six European countries, including the UK and France, have publicly backed Denmark in response to the warnings.