US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Friday, threatening American intervention if the country's security forces fire on peaceful demonstrators. The threat comes amid widespread unrest in Iran, marked by deadly clashes and the most significant internal challenge to authorities in years.
Trump's "Locked and Loaded" Warning and Iran's Retort
In a post on Truth Social early Friday, Trump declared that if Iran "violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue." He emphatically added, "We are locked and loaded and ready to go." The US President did not specify the nature of any potential action.
Iran's response was swift and sharp. Ali Larijani, head of Iran's top security body, fired back on social media, stating that US interference would "mean destabilizing the entire region and destroying America's interests." He warned the American public that Trump started this "adventurism" and that they "ought to watch over their soldiers."
The US State Department reinforced Trump's stance, vowing to "continue to put maximum pressure on the regime" and accusing Iranian authorities of squandering billions on terrorist proxies and nuclear research.
Economic Despair Fuels Biggest Protests in Three Years
The trigger for the current turmoil is a severe economic crisis. Protests erupted across Iran this week as citizens grapple with soaring prices and a collapsing currency. The Iranian rial hit a record low against the US dollar last weekend, while annual inflation surged to 42.2% in December.
This wave of demonstrations is the largest since the nationwide protests in late 2022, which were sparked by the death of a young woman in custody. The current unrest has seen deadly confrontations, particularly in western provinces. State-affiliated media and rights groups have confirmed at least six deaths since Wednesday.
Verified videos show intense scenes, including dozens of people gathered before a burning police station overnight, with gunshots heard and crowds chanting "shameless" at authorities. In Zahedan, protesters reportedly chanted "Death to the dictator." Rights group Hengaw reported 29 arrests, many from Iran's Kurdish minority in the west.
Internal Acknowledgment and Regional Tensions
In a notable shift, Iran's elected President, Masoud Pezeshkian, struck a conciliatory tone. Acknowledging the authorities' failings, he pledged dialogue with protest leaders over the cost-of-living crisis. "We are to blame... Do not look for America or anyone else to blame. We must serve properly so that people are satisfied with us," Pezeshkian stated on Thursday.
The situation remains volatile. State TV reported arrests in Kermanshah for manufacturing petrol bombs and homemade pistols. The officially acknowledged deaths occurred in the western cities of Lordegan and Kuhdasht.
The tensions unfold against a backdrop of longstanding regional proxy conflicts. Iran continues to support groups in Iraq that have attacked US forces and the Houthi group in Yemen. While US presidents have historically been wary of military engagement with Iran, Trump ordered airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities in June, underscoring the high stakes of the current confrontation.
