Trump Warns US Action If Iran Uses Force Against Protesters

US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump on Friday warned that the United States would respond if Iranian authorities used lethal force against protesters, saying Washington was prepared to act, a statement that drew sharp warnings from Tehran.

Trump said the United States was “locked and loaded” and would “come to the rescue” of peaceful protesters if they were violently targeted. His remarks followed clashes between demonstrators and security forces in several Iranian cities, where at least six people were reported killed—the first fatalities since the unrest intensified.

The protests began with strikes by shopkeepers in Tehran over soaring prices and economic stagnation and have since spread to other parts of the country, evolving into a broader movement driven by economic frustration.

Iranian officials condemned Trump’s comments as provocative. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the remarks reckless and warned that Iran’s armed forces were on alert against any foreign intervention. Senior security official Ali Larijani said US interference would destabilise the region and harm American interests, urging Washington to consider the safety of its troops.

Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran’s security was a “red line” and that any intervention would face a response.

At the same time, Iranian leaders acknowledged the economic roots of the unrest. President Masoud Pezeshkian and other officials said peaceful protests over worsening living conditions were understandable, though they warned that disorder and violence would be dealt with firmly.

Iran’s economy has been battered by years of international sanctions linked to its nuclear programme, fuelling inflation and a sharp decline in the value of its currency. Authorities said police would distinguish between legitimate demands and actions aimed at disrupting public order.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk urged Iranian authorities to respect rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, while several countries voiced concern that escalating rhetoric could further destabilise the region.

The protests have affected dozens of cities to varying degrees, though coverage remains limited and difficult to independently verify. While smaller than the nationwide unrest of 2022, the demonstrations reflect persistent public anger over economic hardship and governance.