In a sharp escalation of tensions, former US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, threatening direct intervention if its security forces violently crack down on ongoing nationwide protests. The threat comes as demonstrations sparked by a severe economic crisis turn increasingly deadly, with clashes claiming several lives.
Trump's 'Locked and Loaded' Ultimatum
Taking to social media, Trump declared that the United States would come to the rescue of peaceful protesters if Iran resorted to its "custom" of shooting and killing them. "We are locked and loaded and ready to go," he stated. While the exact nature of potential US action remains unclear, Trump has pursued an aggressive posture towards Tehran, including authorizing strikes on Iranian nuclear sites earlier in 2025.
This warning followed a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where Trump cautioned that Iran would face military strikes if it attempted to rebuild its ballistic-missile or nuclear programs, which were damaged during a war with Israel in June.
Protests Spread Amid Economic Despair
The unrest, now in its second week, began on Sunday after merchants protested a precipitous drop in the value of the Iranian rial. The protests, which started in Tehran, have since spread to at least 32 cities. The economic backdrop is dire: Iran's food inflation hit 64.2% in October, the world's second-highest, and the rial has lost 60% of its value since the June war.
According to the group Human Rights Activists in Iran, the protests have resulted in seven fatalities, at least 33 injuries, and 119 arrests. Separate reports detail specific incidents:
- Three killed during a demonstration outside a police station in Lorestan Province.
- Two killed near a governor's residence in Lordegan.
- A 21-year-old member of the Basij volunteer force killed after demonstrators threw stones in Kuhdasht, Lorestan.
Iran's Response: Grievances and Threats
While Iranian leaders have acknowledged legitimate economic complaints, hardliners have used Trump's threat to frame some demonstrators as agents of foreign enemies. Top security official Ali Larijani warned the US against interference, suggesting it could create regional chaos and endanger American soldiers.
Domestically, officials are promising a firm response. Iran's prosecutor-general warned that any attempt to turn protests into tools of "insecurity" would face a "legal, proportionate and firm response." This mirrors the regime's historical reliance on repression, evidenced by the hundreds killed in the 2022 demonstrations and a drastic increase in executions, with over 1,870 in 2025 alone.
The situation presents a critical challenge for Tehran, balancing the need to address deep-seated public anger over a sanctions-crippled economy with its instinct to suppress any threat to the Islamic Republic's stability. With Trump's warning adding an external dimension, the risk of further escalation remains high.
