In brief
President Trump has warned Iranian leaders against the violent suppression of protests, declaring, 'We are locked and loaded and ready to go.' This statement follows reports of casualties during protests triggered by economic grievances in Iran. A senior Iranian official cautioned Trump about potential chaos if the U.S. intervenes.
US President Donald Trump has warned Iran's authorities against killing peaceful protesters, stating that Washington 'will come to their rescue.'
In a brief post on social media, he wrote: 'We are locked and loaded and ready to go.' He provided no further details.
In response, a senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, cautioned Trump to 'be careful' if he chooses to intervene, stressing that it could lead to chaos across the Middle East.
Reports indicate that at least six people have died in Iran following mass protests that started a week ago due to escalating economic conditions.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated: 'If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue.'
Khamenei adviser Ali Larijani warned that US interference could destabilize the region and jeopardize American interests.
Trump did not specify which actions the US might take against the Iranian government.
In June, the US conducted strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities under Trump's orders, which officials claim significantly hindered Tehran's nuclear ambitions, a claim that Iran disputes.
Following those strikes, Iran retaliated with a missile attack on a US military base in Qatar.
The protests, igniting in Tehran among angry shopkeepers over a drop in the rial's value against the US dollar, have escalated, with university students joining in and calls for the end of Khamenei's rule growing.
Some participants are reportedly calling for a return of the monarchy.
These protests are noted as the most widespread since a previous uprising in 2022, though they are not at the same scale.
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed a willingness to address the protesters' 'legitimate demands,' while the Prosecutor-General warned that attempts to destabilize the country would be met with a decisive response.
