US President Donald Trump has warned that Washington is “locked and loaded” to respond if Iran kills more protesters, as nationwide demonstrations over rising living costs turn deadly across the country.
Clashes between protesters and security forces erupted in several Iranian cities this week, with at least seven people reported killed over two days, including demonstrators and members of Iran’s security forces. Dozens more have been arrested.
What Triggered the Protests?
The unrest began in late December after Iran’s economy deteriorated sharply:
The Iranian rial fell to a record low of about 1.45 million per US dollar, compared with around 820,000 a year earlier
Inflation has surged above 40%, pushing food, rent and fuel beyond the reach of many households
Tehran’s Grand Bazaar merchants launched strikes after prices spiked, breaking a long tradition of political restraint
The protests quickly spread from Tehran to cities including Azna, Lordegan, Shiraz, Isfahan, Kermanshah and Fasa, drawing in students and residents.
Deadliest Clashes So Far
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Azna (Lorestan province): Three people killed amid intense clashes, fires and gunfire
Lordegan (Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari): Two deaths reported during confrontations with security forces
Fuladshahr (Isfahan): One death, which activists say followed police gunfire
Kuhdasht (Lorestan): A 21-year-old Basij volunteer was killed; authorities blamed protesters
Authorities have reported injuries to police and Basij members and say weapons were seized during arrests.
Trump’s Warning and Iran’s Response
Posting on Truth Social, Trump said:
“If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters… the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Larijani sharply condemned the remarks, warning that US interference would lead to “chaos across the entire region and the destruction of American interests.”
Larijani added that Iran views protesting merchants differently from what it called “destructive elements” and accused Trump of dangerous adventurism, referencing US military bases across the region.
Why These Protests Matter
Analysts say the unrest is Iran’s most serious nationwide challenge since the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, which followed the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.
What makes the current wave particularly significant:
The bazaar, historically a stabilising force for the regime, has joined protests
Demonstrations have spread to smaller cities, often a precursor to harsher crackdowns
Protesters have openly chanted slogans like “Death to Khamenei”, signalling direct political defiance
Government Crackdown
To limit the spread:
Authorities declared a sudden public holiday across 21 provinces, shutting markets, universities and offices
Media coverage has been restricted, and journalists reporting on protests face arrest
Security forces have intensified patrols and arrests in affected areas
Broader Context
Iran’s economic crisis has deepened since US sanctions were reimposed in 2018, after Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal. Combined with unemployment, water shortages and governance issues, the pressure has pushed public anger to a breaking point.
With deaths rising, rhetoric escalating and regional tensions already high, analysts warn that how Tehran handles the protests—and how Washington responds—could have far-reaching consequences.