Trump threatens military force if Iran kills protesters
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President Trump holds a press conference on Dec. 29, 2025 in Palm Beach, Fla. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
President Trump warned that the U.S. could intervene militarily if the Iranian regime kills civilians that have been protesting against it over the last several days.
Why it matters: His threat — the first official U.S. statement on the issue — could give backwind to the protesters and deter Iran from using force against them. At the same time it could also be used by Tehran to claim the protests are fueled by Iran's external enemies.
Driving the news: "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 wrote in a Truth Social post on Friday.
The big picture: Over the last few days, protests have erupted in more than 30 cities in Iran, mainly regarding the country's deep economic crisis.
- This is the most wide-ranging wave of protests in the country since 2022, though the number of protesters is smaller so far. In several cases the Iranian security forces have used live fire against the protesters.
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has sent public conciliatory messages to the protesters and held several meetings with representatives of the big trader associations.
The other side: Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, responded on X that Trump's statement together with Israeli statements have made clear "what has been going on behind the scenes."
- "We distinguish between the stance of the protesting shopkeepers and the actions of disruptive actors, and Trump should know that U.S. interference in this internal matter would mean destabilizing the entire region and destroying America's interests," Larijani said.
- He also sent a direct threat against U.S. forces in the region: "The American people should know — Trump started this adventurism. They should be mindful of their soldiers' safety."
- Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said U.S. bases in the region will be legitimate targets if the U.S. attacks Iran.
Flashback: During last year's 12-day war, Trump floated the idea of regime change in Iran, but walked his comments back later.
- He has weighed in on Iranian protests in the past. "Iranian govt should respect their people's rights, including right to express themselves. The world is watching!" Trump tweeted during his first term.
Go deeper: Netanyahu raised possible "round 2" strikes on Iran with Trump
