Trump warns US is “locked and loaded” as Iran protests turn deadly

US President Donald Trump has warned that Washington is prepared to respond militarily if Iranian authorities kill more protesters, after nationwide demonstrations over the cost of living escalated into deadly clashes.

Protests and confrontations between demonstrators and security forces erupted in several Iranian cities on Thursday, leaving at least six people dead in the first reported fatalities since the unrest intensified.

The demonstrations began with strikes by shopkeepers in Tehran on Sunday, driven by soaring prices and prolonged economic stagnation, before spreading to other parts of the country.

Trump issued his warning on Friday via his Truth Social platform, saying that “if Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue.

“We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” he added.

Iranian officials responded swiftly. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, condemned Trump’s remarks, warning that US involvement would have far-reaching consequences.

“He should know that American interference in this internal issue is equivalent to chaos across the entire region and the destruction of American interests,” Larijani said. “We consider the positions of the protesting merchants separate from those of the destructive elements,” he added in a post on X. “The people of the US should know that Trump began the adventurism. They should take care of their own soldiers.”

Larijani’s comments appeared to reference the extensive US military presence across the Middle East. In June, Iran launched an attack on Al Udeid airbase following US strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities during Israel’s 12-day war with Iran.

Iran’s Fars news agency reported that two people were killed in clashes in the city of Lordegan, in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, while three others were killed in Azna, in neighbouring Lorestan province.

Earlier, state television reported that a member of Iran’s security forces was killed overnight during protests in the western city of Kuhdasht.

Authorities also reported dozens of arrests across multiple cities.

On Friday, protests continued in several locations, including Qom, Marvdasht, Yasuj, Mashhad, Hamadan, and eastern districts of Tehran, according to Iranian media.

Iran’s economy has been under sustained pressure since 2018, when the United States reimposed sanctions after Trump withdrew from a multinational nuclear deal during his first term. That agreement had been reached under former US President Barack Obama after years of negotiations between Iran and world powers.

The current wave of unrest is the largest since 2022, when protests swept the country following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested for allegedly violating Iran’s mandatory dress code for women.