US President Threatens Intervention if Iranian Protesters Are Killed

United States President Donald Trump has escalated international tensions by issuing a direct and forceful warning to Iranian authorities during the ongoing nationwide protests, emphasizing that American military forces stand prepared to act decisively if security personnel engage in lethal suppression of demonstrators. This statement comes amid reports of growing unrest driven by severe economic hardship, marking one of the most significant challenges to the Iranian regime in recent years.

In his early morning post on Truth Social, Trump explicitly stated that if Iranian forces "shoot and violently kill peaceful protesters, which is their custom," the United States would intervene to "come to their rescue." He underscored the readiness of American forces by declaring, "We are locked and loaded and ready to go," a phrase that echoes his past rhetoric on international conflicts and signals potential military involvement.

The protests, now entering their sixth day and described as the largest since the 2022 demonstrations, originated from a catastrophic collapse of the Iranian rial, which has plummeted to record lows of around 1.4 to 1.5 million rials per US dollar. Triggered initially by shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shutting down over soaring inflation—officially reported at over 42 percent in December—and stagnant economic conditions, the movement has rapidly expanded to include students from multiple universities and citizens across various provinces. Clashes have turned deadly, with at least seven fatalities confirmed in confrontations involving security forces, including reports of gunfire and seized weapons from some participants.

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Iranian security agencies have responded with force in several locations, deploying tear gas, making arrests, and reporting the confiscation of firearms from individuals described as agitators or armed disruptors. State media outlets have highlighted incidents of protesters torching vehicles, hurling stones, and targeting government buildings, while authorities have imposed internet restrictions and declared holidays to limit gatherings, effectively halting much of the country's daily activities in affected regions.

On the domestic front, Iran's reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian has adopted a conciliatory approach, publicly acknowledging the legitimacy of economic grievances and urging officials to address citizens' livelihood concerns. In televised remarks, he invoked Islamic principles, warning that failure to resolve these issues could have severe consequences, and has instructed the government to engage in dialogue with protesters. However, persistent sanctions tied to Iran's nuclear program, compounded by the financial strain from a brief but intense conflict with Israel in mid-2025, continue to exacerbate the underlying economic crisis, limiting the administration's options for swift relief.

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