The US President, Donald Trump, has renewed his threats to Iran, warning of intervention if more protesters die.
Nationwide protests are sweeping Iranian cities over economic hardship and rising living costs, amid reports of deadly clashes between protesters and security forces which left several people dead.
Trump’s Warning
Trump warned Iran on Sunday of severe consequences if more Iranians die in the ongoing demonstrations, doubling down on his earlier threats to the country.
“We’re watching it very closely. If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they’re going to get hit very hard by the United States,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One, according to AFP.
The US President’s remarks came on the heels of a military operation to capture Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro – an ally of Iran.
Intervention Threats
Trump’s warning followed an earlier threat of a possible US intervention to the rescue of Iranian protesters. The US intervened in the Iran-Israel 12-day war in June 2025, bombing key Iranian nuclear facilities.
“If Iran shots and violently 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 posted on Truth Social on Friday.
In late December 2025, Trump threatened Iran of new US strikes after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida.
“Speaking of Iran, I hope they’re not trying to build up again, because if they are, we’re going to have no choice but very quickly eradicate that buildup,” Trump said referring to Iran’s missile capabilities.
Iranian Response
Trump’s threats have been met with stern warnings from top Iranian officials. On Saturday, the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, acknowledged the people’s grievances but accused foreign forces of inciting riots and promoting anti-government slogans, vowing to put the rioters “in their place,” reported BBC
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, called Trump’s remarks “reckless and dangerous.” He also suggested that Iran’s military was ready to respond to any attacks.
“As in the past, the Great People of Iran will forcefully reject any interference in their internal affairs. Similarly, our Powerful Armed Forces are on standby and know exactly where to aim in the event of any infringement of Iranian sovereignty,” he wrote on X.
Similarly, Khamenei’s senior adviser, Ali Shamkhani, warned that Iran’s national security was a “red line,” adding that “any intervening hand nearing Iran security on pretexts will be cut off with a regret-inducing response.”
Moreover, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, warned that US intervention would destabilize the entire Middle East.
“Trump must realize that US intervention in this domestic matter will lead to destabilization of the whole region and the destruction of American interests,” he wrote on X.
Iran Protests
On December 28, 2025, shopkeepers and merchants in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar demonstrated against the government‘s handling of a currency slide against US dollar and rapidly rising prices, sparking the largest protests in three years.
The protests rapidly spread to several Iranian cities, including Isfahan, Hamadan, Babol, Dehloran, Baghmalek and Pian, according to Iranian media.
The demonstrations were marked by violence amid reports of deadly clashes between protesters and security forces, which left at least 12 people dead, including security personnel, and hundreds detained, according to AFP.
Protesters took to the streets in 23 out of Iran’s 31 provinces, across 40 different cities, in Iran’s largest upheaval since the 2022 uprising, triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian woman who died in custody.
Iran is grappling with an unprecedented economic crisis compounded by years of US and Western sanctions and the fallout from the recent 12-day war with Israel in June 2025. Its economic woes are exacerbated by soaring inflation, high prices, droughts, and poor infrastructure.
