Iran vows swift retaliation after Trump says US is 'locked and loaded' over protests

Iran warned of a "swift, decisive, and comprehensive" response if the US intervenes after President Donald Trump said America was "locked and loaded" and would "come to [protesters'] rescue" if demonstrators were killed. The Iranian foreign ministry condemned the remarks as "intimidating" and accused the US of escalating regional tensions.

The US State Department shared video of the protests and praised the demonstrators' "resolve in the face of repression." The unrest, driven by a growing cost-of-living crisis, is the biggest since nationwide demonstrations in 2022 after the death of Mahsa Amini. State-affiliated media and rights groups report at least 10 deaths and, according to the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, 132 arrests during the latest unrest, including at least 12 women and eight children.

Protests have spread across Iran, with deadly confrontations focused in western provinces. Reports describe students marching in Tehran, attempts to break into a government building, and demonstrations in several cities, including in three districts of the capital. Hardliner Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf wrote that Trump's warning made "all American bases and forces across the region legitimate targets" in response to any adventurism.

Key Topics

World, United States, Iran, Trump, Protests, Us-iran, Human Rights