The U.S. and Iran exchanged threats over the weekend as President Donald Trump reiterated his support for protests challenging Iran’s theocracy. “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,” Trump wrote on social media Saturday. “The USA stands ready to help!!!”Activists say the death toll associated with the protests has reached at least 203. Trump warned Iran’s leadership on Friday against using violence on peaceful protesters. “I’ve made the statement very strongly that if they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved. We’ll be hitting them very hard where it hurts,” Trump said. The State Department separately cautioned, “Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he’ll do something, he means it.” Video above: ‘Locked and loaded’: President Trump warns Iran against killing protestersIran’s parliament speaker declared that the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America launches a strike, and nodded to the possibility of a preemptive attack. The protests in Iran began last month due to the collapse of the country’s currency, partly caused by international sanctions over its nuclear program.Trump previously bombed Iranian nuclear sites in June but has since suggested that Iran is attempting to rebuild.

WASHINGTON —

The U.S. and Iran exchanged threats over the weekend as President Donald Trump reiterated his support for protests challenging Iran’s theocracy.

“Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,” Trump wrote on social media Saturday. “The USA stands ready to help!!!”

Activists say the death toll associated with the protests has reached at least 203.

Trump warned Iran’s leadership on Friday against using violence on peaceful protesters.

“I’ve made the statement very strongly that if they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved. We’ll be hitting them very hard where it hurts,” Trump said.

The State Department separately cautioned, “Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he’ll do something, he means it.”

Video above: ‘Locked and loaded’: President Trump warns Iran against killing protesters

Iran’s parliament speaker declared that the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America launches a strike, and nodded to the possibility of a preemptive attack.

The protests in Iran began last month due to the collapse of the country’s currency, partly caused by international sanctions over its nuclear program.

Trump previously bombed Iranian nuclear sites in June but has since suggested that Iran is attempting to rebuild.