President Donald Trump and Iranian officials exchanged threats today, with both sides vowing to take action against the other amid growing protests in Iran.Trump warned that the U.S. could act if Iran uses deadly force against peaceful protesters, although he did not specify any plans or actions. There is also no indication of immediate U.S. military movement.This warning comes as demonstrations continue to spread across the country, with at least seven people reported dead as the protests enter their sixth day.In a social media post, President Trump stated, “We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” expressing readiness to support protesters who may be targeted.In response, Iran’s Parliament Speaker warned that all American centers and forces in the region would be “legitimate targets” in response to “any potential adventurism.” Additionally, Iran’s National Security Chief cautioned that U.S. interference would cause “disruption across the entire region and the destruction of American interests.”The escalating rhetoric follows the U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities in June. President Trump said Iran was rebuilding and warned that the U.S. would “knock the hell out of them.”The president’s warning ties potential U.S. action to Iran’s treatment of its own protesters, rather than a new attack on American forces. This marks a notable shift, as President Trump is openly backing protesters inside Iran, a stance past U.S. presidents largely avoided to prevent undermining demonstrators by associating them with Washington. President Obama previously stated that restraint during Iran’s 2009 protests was a mistake.
WASHINGTON —
President Donald Trump and Iranian officials exchanged threats today, with both sides vowing to take action against the other amid growing protests in Iran.
Trump warned that the U.S. could act if Iran uses deadly force against peaceful protesters, although he did not specify any plans or actions. There is also no indication of immediate U.S. military movement.
This warning comes as demonstrations continue to spread across the country, with at least seven people reported dead as the protests enter their sixth day.
In a social media post, President Trump stated, “We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” expressing readiness to support protesters who may be targeted.
In response, Iran’s Parliament Speaker warned that all American centers and forces in the region would be “legitimate targets” in response to “any potential adventurism.” Additionally, Iran’s National Security Chief cautioned that U.S. interference would cause “disruption across the entire region and the destruction of American interests.”
The escalating rhetoric follows the U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities in June.
President Trump said Iran was rebuilding and warned that the U.S. would “knock the hell out of them.”
The president’s warning ties potential U.S. action to Iran’s treatment of its own protesters, rather than a new attack on American forces.
This marks a notable shift, as President Trump is openly backing protesters inside Iran, a stance past U.S. presidents largely avoided to prevent undermining demonstrators by associating them with Washington. President Obama previously stated that restraint during Iran’s 2009 protests was a mistake.