U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, threatening military intervention if the Iranian government violently suppresses protesters, stating on his Truth Social platform that "if Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue" and adding, "We are locked and loaded and ready to go."
This comes amid escalating riots across Iran that have resulted in at least seven reported deaths, with demonstrations initially sparked by economic hardship, including the rial's collapse to 1.4 million per U.S. dollar, and have since evolved into broader anti-government unrest.
Iranian leaders have responded with fierce condemnation, accusing the U.S. and Israel of instigating the unrest and warning that any American intervention would lead to regional chaos and make U.S. military bases legitimate targets.
Protests have spread across multiple cities, including Tehran, Zahedan in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Azna, Marvdasht, Lordegan, and Fuladshahr, with demonstrators chanting anti-government slogans and demanding economic reforms.
At least seven protesters, including 28-year-old barber Shayan Asadollahi, have died from security forces' live fire, amid over 30 injuries and 119 arrests.
Videos circulating online show clashes between protesters and security forces, including gunshots and burning vehicles, with one video showing a crowd cheering as police station was attacked in Azna. The death of 21-year-old Amirhessam Khodayari in Kouhdasht has sparked further unrest, with his family denying he was a member of the Basij militia as claimed by state media.
Iranian security forces reportedly raided a home in Neyshabur, and Allegedly arrested a woman who received guidance information from Israel's Mossad to organize violent riots in the next coming days.
The protests began after the rial’s collapse and the ousting of central bank chief Mohammad Reza Farzin, signaling internal dissatisfaction within Iran’s leadership. Counter-protests have also started in several cities in Iran. The unrest follows a 12-day war with Israel in June 2025, during which the U.S. bombed three Iranian nuclear sites, prompting Iran to retaliate by attacking Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
"If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue," Trump wrote on Truth Social, Friday. "We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Iranian officials have uniformly rejected Trump’s threat. Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, stated that U.S. interference would cause regional chaos and destroy American interests, while also alleging that the U.S. and Israel are stoking the protests without providing evidence.
Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned that any interventionist hand near Iran’s security would be "cut off before it can act," referencing past U.S. military actions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Gaza. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf declared all American bases and forces in the region "legitimate targets" in response to any U.S. adventurism.
Despite Iran’s recent announcement that it is no longer enriching uranium to signal openness to negotiations, talks with the West have not resumed due to warnings from Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against any reconstitution of Iran’s nuclear program. Iran’s reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged the legitimacy of protesters’ grievances but admitted he lacks the power to address the economic crisis.
