U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran Friday, declaring that America is “locked and loaded” to intervene if Tehran uses lethal force against protesters, as the Islamic Republic grapples with its largest unrest since the 2022 Mahsa Amini demonstrations.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump’s aggressive message comes amid soaring economic despair, widespread clashes with security forces, and at least five confirmed deaths in the past week.
“If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, the United States of America will come to their rescue,” Trump wrote, echoing the bellicose phrasing he first popularized in 2017 during North Korea tensions.
U.S. President Donald Trump attends a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Washington, U.S., Dec. 2, 2025. (AFP Photo)
The post, timestamped Dec. 29, 2025, has garnered millions of views, signaling an early return to his hardline stance toward Tehran just weeks into his second term.
