President Donald Trump escalated tensions with Iran on January 2, 2026, by declaring that the United States would provide military support to “peaceful protesters” if Iranian authorities fired on or violently killed them. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated: “If Iran shoots 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.” The warning came amid escalating economic protests in Iran that had turned deadly, with reports of several fatalities in clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

The protests, sparked by soaring inflation, a collapsing rial currency, and widespread economic hardship exacerbated by years of sanctions, began in late December 2025 and quickly spread from Tehran to multiple provinces. Demonstrators, including shopkeepers and students, voiced frustration over cost-of-living crises, with some chants turning political against the regime. Deadly confrontations in western cities like Kuhdasht and Azna marked the unrest’s most serious escalation since 2022.

Iranian officials swiftly condemned Trump’s remarks, with senior figures like Ali Larijani and Ali Shamkhani warning of regional chaos and severe consequences for any U.S. intervention, implicitly referencing Iran’s missile capabilities and regional allies. The exchange underscored heightened U.S.-Iran frictions following prior military actions, raising global concerns about potential further escalation in the volatile Middle East.