President Donald Trump early Friday warned the Islamic Republic of Iran that the United States would intervene if Iranian security forces violently suppress peaceful demonstrators. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that if Iran “shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom,” the U.S. “will come to their rescue.”
He added: “We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”
The president’s warning comes as widespread demonstrations over Iran’s deteriorating economy have expanded beyond Tehran to multiple provinces, raising concerns about a potential heavy-handed crackdown. At least seven people — including both protesters and security personnel — have been reported killed in clashes, according to international reporting.
Iranian officials sharply rebuked Trump’s remarks. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, posted that U.S. interference “would mean destabilizing the entire region and destroying America’s interests” and urged Trump to reconsider.
The unrest is the most significant since the 2022 protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini. This week’s demonstrations began with shopkeepers objecting to a steep depreciation in the Iranian rial and have grown to include students and other citizens chanting against the theocratic leadership. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged public grievances and urged listening to protesters’ “legitimate demands,” but his government faces limited options as economic conditions worsen.
State media has reported arrests and claims of seized smuggled weapons linked to the unrest, though details remain limited.
Trump’s Recent Iran Statements
Trump’s warning on Friday follows a series of hardline statements on Iran over the past week:
- On Dec. 29, Trump warned at Mar-a-Lago that the U.S. could support further strikes against Iran if Tehran resumes its nuclear or ballistic-missile programs, saying intelligence suggested Iran may be rebuilding capabilities and that future action may be required.
- On Dec. 30, Trump again signaled that the U.S. would take military action if Iran attempts to revive its nuclear weapons program, warning reporters that if Tehran “tries to build up again… we have to knock them down.”
These comments come amid heightened regional tensions after U.S. and allied strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in the summer of 2025 and Iran’s retaliatory attack on the U.S.-linked Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
Domestic Political Support for Tough Stance
Sen. John Fetterman (D–Pa.) — one of the few Democrats to break with his party’s mainstream on Iran — has publicly endorsed a strong military posture toward Tehran. Fetterman praised Trump’s June strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and wrote on X that he “fully support[s] any future strikes to damage or destroy their nuclear ambitions.” x
Fetterman’s stance underscores a rare bipartisan alignment on confronting Iran’s nuclear threat, even as other lawmakers emphasize congressional authority and caution.
Regional and Policy Implications
Iran’s government, beset by economic turmoil and foreign pressure, faces mounting internal dissent. Its currency has sharply depreciated, contributing to public anger and eroding confidence in the regime. Meanwhile, regional actors — including Israel and Russia — are warning against escalation, with Tehran emphasizing resistance against perceived foreign interference and rejecting renewed nuclear negotiations.
