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President Donald Trump began his first morning of the New Year engaging in one of his preferred activities of the just-passed 2017: firing off online shots about whatever was on his mind.   On Monday, the president sent out morning messages about two global trouble spots.

Trump sent out a tweet about Pakistan just after 7 am Monday morning, after attending a New Years' bash at Mar-a-Lago, where he has been staying over the holidays. 

'The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!' Trump wrote.   Then about 30 minutes later, the president tweeted about protests in Iran. 

Trump said it was 'time for change' in Iran and that the country's people were 'hungry' for freedom, after days of deadly protests against the government in Tehran.  'Iran is failing at every level despite the terrible deal made with them by the Obama Administration,' Trump wrote, referring to the nuclear pact sealed under his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama.

'The great Iranian people have been repressed for many years. They are hungry for food & for freedom. Along with human rights, the wealth of Iran is being looted. TIME FOR CHANGE!' Trump added.

Iran's foreign minister, Khawaja Asif, tweeted in response: 'We will respond to President Trump's tweet shortly inshallah...Will let the world know the truth..difference between facts & fiction.'

Inshallah means 'god willing' in Arabic.

Later Monday morning, Trump went to the Trump International Golf Club, arriving at 8:51 am. It was his 91st day on a golf course as president, according to NBC. 

The White House said Trump was playing with PGA Champions Tour Player Fred Funk and his son Taylor Funk.

Later Trump tweeted that he will 'be leaving Florida for Washington (D.C.) today at 4:00 P.M. Much work to be done, but it will be a great New Year!' But Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hit back, saying the US leader -- whose 'whole being is against the nation of Iran -- had 'no right' to sympathize with protesters.

Ten people were killed overnight in Iran, local media reported, bringing the death toll after four days of protests to 12.

Iranian state TV reported the figure Monday, saying security forces repelled 'armed protesters' who tried to take over police stations and military bases.

Two people were shot dead in the southwestern town of Izeh while another two died in Dorud after being run over by a stolen fire truck, local news agencies reported.