WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to intervene if Iran shoots or “violently kills peaceful protesters” amid a worsening economic crisis and widespread dissatisfaction with the government.
At least seven people have been killed so far in violence surrounding the demonstrations, sparked in part by the collapse of Iran’s rial currency.
If Iran “kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post overnight.
Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, fired back at Trump, warning that “any attempt to interfere with Iran’s security under any pretext will inevitably face Iran’s resolute rejection and provoke regrettable consequences.”
“Iran’s national security is a red line, not a topic for adventurous tweets,” Shamkhani said on X.
The exchange of threats comes days after Trump warned of severe consequences if Tehran attempts to rebuild its nuclear or missile capabilities.
Speaking Monday after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, Trump said the United States was closely monitoring reports that Iran may be attempting to reconstruct nuclear facilities damaged by U.S. strikes earlier this year. While those allegations remain unconfirmed, Trump warned that any such effort would prompt a swift response.
“If it’s confirmed, look, there will be consequences,” Trump said. “The consequences will be very powerful — maybe more powerful than last time.”
Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, also accused the U.S. and Israel of having a part in the demonstrations in Iran.
“Trump must realize that US intervention in this domestic matter will lead to destabilisation of the whole region and the destruction of American interests,” Larijani wrote on X. “The American people must know that Trump is the one that started this adventure, and they should pay attention to the safety of their soldiers.”
The current protests, now in their sixth day, have become the biggest in Iran since 2022, when the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody triggered nationwide demonstrations. However, the demonstrations have yet to be countrywide and have not been as intense as those surrounding the death of Amini, who was detained over not wearing her hijab, or headscarf, to the liking of authorities.
Iran’s civilian government under reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian has been trying to signal it wants to negotiate with protesters. However, Pezeshkian has acknowledged there is not much he can do as Iran’s rial has rapidly depreciated, with $1 now costing some 1.4 million rials. That sparked the initial protests.
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Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.
