Former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Iran on Friday, saying the United States is prepared to step in if Iranian authorities violently crack down on peaceful protesters.
“If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, the United States of America will come to their rescue,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” he added.
His comments come after deadly unrest erupted across Iran, marking the country’s biggest wave of protests in three years. The demonstrations—sparked by deepening economic pain, soaring prices, and a dramatic currency collapse—quickly turned violent as clashes broke out between protesters and security forces in several provinces.
What began as protests led by shopkeepers frustrated by the government’s handling of Iran’s worsening financial crisis has escalated into nationwide unrest. The situation highlights just how severe Iran’s economic problems have become.
Iran’s economy has been under heavy strain since 2018, when the U.S. reimposed sanctions after Trump withdrew from the international nuclear deal during his first term. Since then, ordinary Iranians have battled rising living costs, shrinking purchasing power, and mounting frustration with their government.
As tensions continue to rise, all eyes are now on Tehran—and on whether Trump’s tough message leads to further escalation or forces Iran to rethink its next move.
