Trump Issues ‘Locked and Loaded’ Warning to Tehran as Economic Unrest Turns Deadly

Writing on his Truth Social platform, President Trump declared that the United States is "locked and loaded" to act if the Iranian government continues to respond to peaceful demonstrations with violence. "If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue," Trump wrote. "We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

The rhetoric from Washington follows reports of escalating casualties across several Iranian provinces. In the western province of Lorestan, the semi-official Fars news agency reported that three protesters were killed and 17 others injured during a violent confrontation at a police station. Authorities claimed "rioters" attacked the headquarters and set fire to police vehicles. Additional fatalities have been reported in Lordegan, Kuhdasht, and Isfahan, with human rights group Hengaw confirming that live ammunition has been used to disperse crowds.

Tehran’s leadership responded to the American warning with swift defiance. Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, warned that any U.S. interference would "destabilize the entire region" and jeopardize American interests. Larijani accused Washington of "adventurism" and suggested that the safety of U.S. soldiers in the Middle East could be at risk if the situation escalates.

The current wave of protests was ignited by the rapid freefall of the Iranian rial, which has decimated the purchasing power of ordinary citizens. What began as strikes by merchants in Tehran's Grand Bazaar has evolved into nationwide calls for political reform. While reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged the "legitimate demands" of the people, the state’s security apparatus appears to be tightening its grip. Ali Shamkhani, another top aide to the Supreme Leader, emphasized that national security remains a "red line," signaling that the clerical establishment has little intention of backing down.

As the death toll rises and the diplomatic standoff intensifies, the international community remains on high alert. The exchange of threats marks a volatile new chapter in U.S.-Iran relations, shifting the focus from economic sanctions to the potential for direct military confrontation in an already fragile region.