Trump warns US will intervene if Iran kills protesters amid growing unrest
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President Donald Trump warned early Friday that the United States would intervene if Iran starts killing protesters.
Writing on Truth Social, the president said that if Iran opened fire on peaceful protesters and “violently killed them, as is their duty, the United States would come to their rescue.”
“We’re locked, loaded and ready to go,” Trump said.
Trump’s warning came as demonstrations triggered by Iran’s worsening economy spread beyond the capital, raising concerns about a possible harsh response by security forces. According to international reports, at least seven people, including protesters and members of Iranian security agencies, were reportedly killed during the clashes.
Iranian protesters clashed with security forces as tear gas filled the streets of Tehran amid nationwide unrest.
U.S. President Donald Trump listens during the presentation ceremony for the Mexican Border Defense Medal in the Oval Office of the White House on December 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Some of the worst violence was reported in western Iran; Videos circulating online showed fires burning in the streets and gunshots heard during night protests.
Protesters march in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, December 29, 2025. (Fars News Agency via AP)
The unrest marks Iran’s most significant protests since 2022, when the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody sparked demonstrations across the country. Authorities say the current protests have not yet reached the same size or intensity but have spread across multiple regions and include slogans aimed at Iran’s theocratic leadership.
Iran’s civilian government under reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian has signaled a willingness to engage with protesters, but the administration faces limited options as the country’s economy continues to deteriorate. Iran’s currency has depreciated sharply; It now takes about 1.4 million riyals to buy a single US dollar, intensifying public anger and eroding trust in the government.
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State television reported the arrest of several people accused of exploiting the unrest, including people it described as monarchists and people with alleged links to Europe-based groups. Authorities also claimed that security forces seized smuggled weapons during related operations, but details remained limited.
Iranian protests have led to a nationwide shutdown, with President Masoud Pezeshkian closing businesses and offices in 21 provinces due to growing public anger. (MEK/People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran)
The demonstrations come amid rising regional tensions following a 12-day conflict with Israel in June when the United States bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iranian officials have since said the country no longer enriches uranium, trying to signal that it is open to renewed talks on its nuclear program to ease sanctions.
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However, talks have not yet resumed as both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have warned Tehran about rebuilding its nuclear capabilities; This increased the pressure on the Iranian leadership as the protests continued.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
