In brief
In a notable social media statement, US President Donald Trump warned Iran against the violent suppression of protests, suggesting that the US would intervene if necessary. This caution follows significant unrest in Iran, with reports of multiple deaths amid escalating demonstrations sparked by economic distress. Iranian officials have responded, warning that US involvement could lead to regional instability. The protests have drawn attention due to their intensity and the call for broader political reforms.
US President Donald Trump has warned Iran's authorities against killing peaceful protesters, saying Washington will come to their rescue.
In a brief post on social media, he wrote: We are locked and loaded and ready to go. He provided no further details.
A senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, responded by cautioning Trump to be careful if he intervenes, warning of potential chaos across the Middle East.
At least six people are reported to have been killed in Iran on Thursday after nearly a week of mass protests triggered by worsening economic conditions.
In a Friday post on Truth Social, Trump stated: If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. Khamenei adviser Ali Larijani indicated shortly afterward that any US interference would destabilize the entire region and could harm American interests.
Trump's post did not specify what actions Washington might take against the Iranian authorities.
In June, the US carried out strikes against Iran's nuclear sites on Trump's orders. American officials claimed these actions significantly delayed Tehran's nuclear ambitions, a statement that Iran disputed. In retaliation, Iran targeted a major US military base in Qatar.
Recent protests in Iran have resulted in fatalities, with six reported deaths during the ongoing unrest. These demonstrations began in Tehran among shopkeepers upset about a sharp decline in the value of the Iranian currency, the rial, against the US dollar. The protests expanded to include university students and have been marked by calls for an end to Khamenei's rule and even a return to the monarchy.
These protests are the most widespread since the protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022 but have not yet reached the same intensity.
President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged the protesters' legitimate demands. However, the country's Prosecutor-General, Mohammad Movahedi-Azad, warned that attempts to create instability would face a decisive response.\
