President Donald Trump sharply escalated tensions with Iran on Friday, issuing a blunt warning to the country’s leadership as protests continue to spread across the nation.
In a message posted to his Truth Social platform, Trump said the United States is prepared to intervene if Iranian authorities use lethal force against peaceful demonstrators. He warned that if the regime “violently kills peaceful protesters,” the U.S. would “come to their rescue,” adding that American forces are “locked and loaded.”
The warning comes as demonstrations driven by economic hardship, soaring inflation, and a collapsing currency have spread beyond Tehran to other regions. The unrest marks the most significant wave of protests Iran has seen in years. International reporting has indicated that at least seven people have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces, though Iranian officials have disputed casualty figures.
Iranian leaders responded forcefully to Trump’s remarks. Senior officials accused the United States and Israel of fueling the unrest and warned that any foreign intervention would further destabilize the region and threaten American interests. Advisers close to Iran’s supreme leader said outside interference would be met with force.
The protests have led to widespread closures of businesses, universities, and government offices, drawing comparisons to the nationwide demonstrations that rocked the country in 2022. The unrest is unfolding amid deepening economic distress, which has been compounded by U.S. sanctions.
Trump’s warning further heightens already strained relations between Washington and Tehran, which have been under pressure from recent military actions in the region and long-running disputes over Iran’s nuclear program.
