“Locked and Loaded”: Trump Threatens Iran in 3 A.M. Post
President Donald Trump threatened to intervene in Iran if the regime hurts protesters, warning the United States is “locked and loaded.”
“If Iran shots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue,” Trump wrote on Truth Social at 2:58 a.m. on Friday morning. “We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Iran entered its sixth day of consecutive protests on Friday, as the people are fed up with soaring inflation, the dismal economy, and the collapse of the Iranian rial. At least seven people have been killed so far, according to the AP.
A viral video from the second day of protests in Iran shows a protester in Tehran sitting in front of security forces.
— Ghoncheh Habibiazad | غنچه (@GhonchehAzad) December 29, 2025
Another clip shows him being beaten after he stands up.
The protests have spread to other cities, accompanied by anti-establishment slogans. pic.twitter.com/A8pes5lrsd
THREAD: Verified videos of anti-establishment protests in Iran on 1 January.
— Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) January 1, 2026
A group of protesters in the small city of Azna, in the western porvince of Lorestan, set fire to the local police station.
Location: https://t.co/WDPmFeEoUs
@GeoConfirmed https://t.co/eMQYMTOj6I pic.twitter.com/hKCiSlP6EE
Iranian officials have already responded to Trump’s threats by implying that the protests in recent days have been fomented by the United States—despite the protests’ widespread support—and warning the Trump administration about next steps.
“With the statements by Israeli officials and @realDonaldTrump, what has been going on behind the scenes is now clear,” Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, wrote on X. “Trump should know that U.S. interference in this internal matter would mean destabilizing the entire region and destroying America’s interests. The American people should know — Trump started this adventurism. They should be mindful of their soldiers’ safety.”
Iran’s foreign minister, meanwhile, called Trump’s statement a “flagrant violation” of international law.
It’s impossible to root for anyone in this standoff, other than the people of Iran, but Trump threatening another international conflict—while we also appear to be walking into war with Venezuela—is certainly at least some cause for concern.