Washington, D.C. – January 2, 2026
President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Friday, pledging U.S. intervention if the regime violently suppresses ongoing anti-government protests. The statement highlights Iran’s history of executing protesters, amid reports of deadly clashes.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated: “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.”
Protests, sparked by economic hardship and currency collapse, have spread nationwide since late December 2025, with at least seven deaths reported. Iran’s regime has a record of harsh repression, including the 2022 execution of Mohsen Shekari following the Mahsa Amini protests—a case condemned as a sham trial—and the 2025 hanging of Mojahed Kourkouri despite allegations of torture and forced confessions.
Iranian officials accused the U.S. of interference, but Trump’s message signals a firm stance on human rights. Analysts say this could escalate tensions, building on prior U.S. actions against Iran’s nuclear program.
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