US President Donald Trump warned Iran’s leadership that the United States would intervene if Iranian forces kill peaceful protesters, as demonstrations over economic hardship continue to spread nationwide.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump said the US was “locked and loaded and ready to go,” without explaining what action Washington might take.
He added that the US would come to the rescue of Iranian protesters if authorities used lethal force against them.
Iran Pushes Back Against US Warning
Iran’s leadership reacted quickly to Trump’s remarks. A senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned against foreign involvement.
Ali Larijani said US interference would destabilise the Middle East and damage American interests across the region.
Officials have reported at least eight deaths since protests began nearly a week ago, although details remain disputed.
Protests Spread as Death Toll Rises
Demonstrations started in Tehran among shopkeepers angered by the collapse of the Iranian rial against the US dollar. University students soon joined the protests, which then spread to several cities.
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency and the human rights group Hengaw said two protesters, Ahmad Jalil and Sajjad Valamanesh, were killed in clashes with security forces in Lordegan.
Authorities also reported deaths in Azna, Kouhdasht, Fuladshahr, and Marvdasht. Officials did not clarify whether all victims were protesters or members of the security forces.
The BBC has not independently verified the casualty figures.
Videos verified by BBC Persian show burning vehicles, heavy security deployments, and crowds confronting police in Tehran and other cities.
Funeral Turns Into Flashpoint
Iranian officials earlier said a member of the security forces died in Kouhdasht. Protesters rejected that claim and said security forces shot one of their own demonstrators.
Tensions escalated during the man’s funeral, which drew thousands of mourners. Security personnel attempted to carry the coffin, but crowds forced them to retreat.
US-Iran Tensions Resurface
Trump’s warning comes months after US strikes targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities in June. American officials said the attacks delayed Iran’s nuclear programme, a claim Tehran strongly disputes.
Iran later launched missiles at a major US military base in Qatar, sharply raising regional tensions.
Despite the risks, some protesters say international pressure helps restrain Iran’s security forces.
“They are afraid when Trump speaks,” a young woman protesting in Tehran told the BBC’s Newshour programme. She spoke anonymously due to security concerns.
She also cited statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying foreign warnings carry weight inside Iran.
Calls for Regime Change Grow Louder
Economic anger has now evolved into political opposition. Protesters have chanted against Iran’s clerical system and called for the end of Khamenei’s rule.
Some demonstrators have even voiced support for restoring the monarchy.
“We have no liberty here,” the Tehran protester said. “We face brutality every day. We want this regime to end, even if it costs our lives.”
The unrest marks Iran’s most serious protests since 2022, when demonstrations erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini in morality-police custody.
Government Signals Mixed Response
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said authorities would listen to the “legitimate demands” of protesters.
At the same time, prosecutor-general Mohammad Movahedi-Azad warned that attempts to destabilise the country would face a decisive response.
As protests continue and international rhetoric sharpens, Iran faces mounting internal pressure and renewed global scrutiny.