U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday issued a stark warning to Tehran, saying the United States is “locked and loaded and ready to go” if Iranian authorities violently suppress ongoing protests and kill peaceful demonstrators. Trump made the comments in a post on his Truth Social platform, asserting that Washington would “come to their rescue” should such violence occur, amid one of the largest waves of unrest Iran has seen in years. 

The protests, sparked by soaring living costs and a sharp currency collapse, have spread from Tehran to other cities, leading to clashes between security forces and demonstrators that have left several people dead. Iranian officials have pushed back against Trump’s remarks, accusing the U.S. and its allies of interference and warning that foreign involvement could destabilize the region further. 

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