US President Donald Trump has warned Iran against using force to crush the growing protests in the country. On Friday, he said that if Iran “violently” targets peaceful demonstrators, the United States will step in to support them.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “If Iran shots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue.”
He added another strong message, “We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”
Why Protests Have Erupted in Iran
Iran has been facing widespread unrest since last week as people protest the government’s handling of a deep economic crisis. The country’s currency has sharply fallen, while the prices of daily goods have risen fast.
In December, Iran’s annual inflation reached 42.2 per cent, and food prices jumped 72 per cent. This has made it extremely difficult for ordinary families to survive. As protests continued, the situation became more serious this week, with local media reporting that at least six civilians have died.
Iran Responds to Trump’s Threat
Iran reacted strongly to Trump’s comments. Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, warned that any US interference in Iran’s internal matters would lead to wider instability.
He said US involvement in Iran’s protests would be equal to spreading chaos across the region, according to comments reported by Reuters.
Sanctions and Past Conflicts Behind Iran’s Crisis
Iran’s economic troubles worsened after Trump withdrew the US from the Iranian nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed strict sanctions. These measures damaged Iran’s trade, weakened its currency and increased inflation.
Tensions rose further last June when the United States carried out air strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, pulling Washington deeper into Israel’s conflict with Iran, its long-time regional rival.
Protests Now Demand More Than Economic Relief
Experts say the protests are no longer just about money. Suzanne Maloney, vice president and director of foreign policy at the Brookings Institution, said Iranians are now demanding deeper political change.
She told, “We’re hearing cries of Death to the dictator. We’re hearing slogans that juxtapose the regime’s support for militia groups across the region with the real interests and demands of the Iranian people.”
She also pointed out that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been in power for 36 years, adding to public frustration.
What Lies Ahead
As protests grow and the economic crisis deepens, pressure on Iran’s leadership is rising. With deaths already reported and strong warnings coming from the United States, the situation remains tense, and the future of Iran’s stability hangs in the balance.
