U.S. President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Iran’s leadership on Friday, declaring that the United States is prepared to intervene if Iranian security forces violently suppress ongoing protests.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “If Iran shots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”

The statement comes amid Iran’s largest wave of anti-regime demonstrations since the 2022 Mahsa Amini uprising, this time driven by a severe economic crisis. Protests began in late December 2025 after the Iranian rial collapsed to a record low of around 1.45 million to the U.S. dollar, pushing inflation above 42% and sharply increasing food and essential prices.

Escalating Unrest

Demonstrators—including merchants, students, and workers—have spread chants such as “Death to the dictator” and “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life for Iran,” criticizing both economic mismanagement and foreign policy priorities.

Reports indicate unrest has turned violent in several provinces, with 7–45 deaths (figures vary by source), hundreds injured, and numerous arrests. Security forces have deployed tear gas, live ammunition, and mass detentions, while protesters have clashed with police, stormed buildings, and set vehicles ablaze in Tehran, Lordegan, Kuhdasht, and Azna.

Government Response

Iranian authorities have acknowledged economic hardships. President Masoud Pezeshkian appointed a new central bank governor and ordered dialogue with protesters. However, the government has also imposed shutdowns, restricted internet access, and accused “external forces” of fueling unrest.

U.S. Posture and Risks

Trump’s warning echoes his past rhetoric and marks a sharp escalation in U.S. posture toward Tehran during this period of instability. Analysts note it amplifies pressure on the regime but raises risks of confrontation, especially following 2025 regional conflicts and renewed sanctions.

The protests, now in their sixth day, continue to spread, with calls growing for broader political change. International observers, including human rights groups, have urged restraint and documented allegations of excessive force by Iranian authorities.