U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday issued a stark warning to Iran’s leadership, declaring that Washington was “locked and loaded” and prepared to intervene if Iranian authorities violently suppress nationwide protests sparked by economic hardship and anger at the country’s clerical establishment.
The warning marks one of Trump’s most explicit threats of direct U.S. action against Iran since American forces carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities six months ago. It also comes amid heightened regional tensions, as Trump earlier this week said he would support an Israeli military strike should Tehran attempt to rebuild its nuclear capabilities.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused Iran’s government of routinely using lethal force against demonstrators and suggested the United States would not remain passive if such actions continued.
“If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue,” Trump wrote. “We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The remarks immediately drew a sharp rebuke from Tehran. Ali Shamkhani, a senior political adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned Washington against what he described as reckless interventionism and accused the United States of exploiting unrest for geopolitical ends.
“The people of Iran are well acquainted with the experience of Americans coming to the rescue, from Iraq and Afghanistan to Gaza,” Shamkhani wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Any hand of intervention that approaches Iranian security with pretexts will be severed by a regret-inducing response. Iran’s national security is a red line, not fodder for adventurist tweets.”
Protests have been reported in multiple Iranian cities since December 28, driven largely by public frustration over soaring living costs, inflation, unemployment, and long-standing grievances against the clerical regime. Demonstrators have reportedly chanted slogans critical of senior leaders, with some calling for broader political change.
Iranian state and semi-official media have acknowledged casualties, reporting that between six and seven people have died during the unrest, though details surrounding the deaths remain unclear. Rights groups and opposition outlets have claimed the toll could be higher, accusations the government has not confirmed.
Authorities have blamed “foreign-backed agitators” for inciting unrest and have vowed to restore order. Iranian security forces have increased their presence in major cities, while internet disruptions have been reported intermittently, a tactic Tehran has previously used during periods of domestic instability.
Trump’s comments risk further escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, already strained by the nuclear issue, regional proxy conflicts, and the legacy of recent U.S. military action. Critics argue that his rhetoric could embolden hardliners within Iran while undermining protesters by reinforcing official narratives of foreign interference.
U.S. officials have not clarified what form any potential “rescue” of Iranian protesters might take, nor whether Trump’s remarks reflect an imminent policy shift or rhetorical pressure. The White House has previously said Washington supports the Iranian people’s right to peaceful protest but has stopped short of endorsing direct intervention.
International reactions have been cautious. European diplomats have urged restraint from all sides, warning that inflammatory language could worsen an already volatile situation. Human rights organizations have called on Iranian authorities to allow peaceful demonstrations and on foreign governments to avoid actions that could lead to further bloodshed.
As protests continue, Iran’s leadership faces the challenge of containing domestic unrest while navigating intensifying pressure from abroad. Whether Trump’s warning will deter a violent crackdown or instead harden positions on both sides remains uncertain, but the episode underscores the fragile state of U.S.–Iran relations at a moment of heightened regional risk.
