Trump Warns of U.S. Action as Deadly Protests Rock Iran

U.S. Threats Amid Escalating Unrest in Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Friday that Washington could intervene if Iranian security forces fired on protesters, as demonstrations over economic hardship continued across Iran. In a social media post, Trump said the United States was “locked and loaded and ready to go,” though he did not specify what form any action might take. His remarks came days into unrest that has left several people dead and is viewed as one of the most serious internal challenges faced by Iranian authorities in recent years.

Iranian Response and Security Warnings

Senior Iranian official Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s National Security Council and a close adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rejected Trump’s comments, warning that U.S. interference would destabilize the broader Middle East. Iran supports allied armed groups in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen, and Larijani cautioned that American actions could put U.S. forces in the region at risk. Iranian state media also quoted a local official in western Iran warning that any illegal gatherings would be met “decisively and without leniency.”

Protests, Casualties, and Arrests

The demonstrations, driven largely by soaring inflation and economic strain, are smaller than some previous nationwide uprisings but have spread to multiple regions. State-affiliated media and rights groups report at least 10 deaths since Wednesday, including a member of the Basij paramilitary force linked to the Revolutionary Guards. Deadly clashes have been concentrated in western provinces, including Lordegan and Kuhdasht. Rights group Hengaw also reported a death in Fars province, a claim denied by state media.

Hengaw said at least 80 people have been arrested, mostly in western Iran, including members of the Kurdish minority. State television reported additional arrests in Kermanshah, alleging the manufacture of petrol bombs and homemade firearms. Iranian media also said two heavily armed individuals were detained in central and western regions before carrying out planned attacks. Independent verification of all reports has not been possible.

Scenes From Affected Cities

Verified video footage showed crowds gathered outside a burning police station overnight, with sporadic gunfire and protesters chanting slogans condemning authorities. In Zahedan, a southern city with a large Baluch population, Hengaw reported chants including “Death to the dictator.” Rights groups and social media posts indicated further protests late Friday in several cities.

Regional and International Context

Trump’s warning followed a recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and came against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions. The United States and Israel carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and military targets in June, intensifying pressure on Tehran. Additional strains include the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a key Iranian ally, and Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Washington has maintained extensive sanctions on Iran, particularly since Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018.

Iranian Leadership and Economic Pressures

President Masoud Pezeshkian has taken a more conciliatory approach, pledging dialogue with protest leaders and acknowledging government failings. He said authorities were responsible for addressing public dissatisfaction rather than blaming foreign actors. His administration’s economic liberalization efforts, including partial currency deregulation, have contributed to a sharp fall in the rial on unofficial markets. Inflation has remained above 36 percent since March, according to official estimates, deepening public frustration in an economy heavily constrained by sanctions.