‘Locked And Loaded’: Trump Says US Will Intervene If Iran Uses Violence On Peaceful Protesters

Last Updated:January 02, 2026, 14:25 IST

Donald Trump warned Iran as protests over the economic crisis spread, leaving seven dead. President Pezeshkian called for dialogue amid unrest.

Donald Trump warned Iran as protests over the economic crisis spread, leaving seven dead. President Pezeshkian called for dialogue amid unrest.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a stark warning amid escalating unrest in Iran, saying, “We are locked and loaded and ready to go," in a post on his Truth Social platform.

The remark came as at least seven people were reported killed in Iran following violent clashes between security forces and protesters, according to media reports. Protests that began on Sunday in the capital Tehran have since spread across several provinces, fuelled by anger over the government’s handling of a sharp currency fall, prolonged economic stagnation and soaring inflation, which officially touched 42.5 per cent in December.

The demonstrations initially saw shopkeepers take to the streets, but gained momentum after students from at least 10 universities joined the protests on Tuesday. Markets across parts of the country were shut as unrest intensified, while the government declared a holiday citing cold weather, effectively bringing large sections of the country to a standstill.

According to CNN, protests over the past 24 hours escalated into deadly confrontations in several areas. Iran’s Fars news agency reported that demonstrators clashed with police, hurled stones at security personnel and set vehicles on fire. The agency also claimed that armed “disturbers" took advantage of the gatherings and that authorities later seized firearms from multiple individuals.

Iran’s civilian government, led by President Masoud Pezeshkian, has sought to project a willingness to engage with protesters. Addressing an event aired on state television, Pezeshkian acknowledged public anger over economic hardship, saying, “From an Islamic perspective… if we do not resolve the issue of people’s livelihoods, we will end up in Hell."

Iran’s economy has been under sustained pressure for years due to US and Western sanctions linked to Tehran’s nuclear programme. The strain has been compounded by regional tensions, including a 12-day conflict with Israel in June, which further weakened state finances and deepened public discontent.

News world ‘Locked And Loaded’: Trump Says US Will Intervene If Iran Uses Violence On Peaceful Protesters

Read More