Iran is facing its largest wave of unrest since 2022, as protests over soaring inflation and economic hardship spread beyond Tehran to western and southern provinces. The demonstrations, which have entered their sixth day, have turned deadly, with as many as seven people killed in clashes between protesters and security forces.
The unrest began over economic grievances, including the collapse of the Iranian rial and government mismanagement of currency exchange, but has expanded to include calls against Iran’s theocratic leadership, according to reports from Fox News and The Associated Press. Reuters verified footage showing chaotic scenes, including a police station set ablaze and crowds confronting authorities.
In response to the ongoing violence, President Donald Trump issued a stark warning on Truth Social, saying that the United States is “locked and loaded and ready to go” to assist Iranian protesters if security forces “violently kill peaceful protesters.” He added that if confirmed, consequences for Iran “will be very powerful, maybe more powerful than the last time.”
Trump’s comments follow a series of U.S. military actions in the region. Six months ago, the United States joined Israel in strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, prompting an Iranian missile attack on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Israeli defense officials have expressed concern that renewed tensions could trigger ballistic missile strikes from Tehran.
Iranian officials quickly responded to Trump’s warning. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s Parliament, said that any U.S. intervention would make American forces and bases across the Middle East “legitimate targets.” Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, warned that U.S. interference in what he described as an internal matter would “mean destabilizing the entire region and destroying America’s interests,” and cautioned Americans to “be mindful of their soldiers’ safety.”
Domestically, the government has acknowledged some responsibility for the unrest. President Masoud Pezeshkian said, “We are to blame … Do not look for America or anyone else to blame,” and stressed that officials “have to find a solution to these problems.” Despite his statements, government tools to address the protesters’ grievances remain limited due to sanctions, a weak currency, and broader economic mismanagement.
Rights groups and state-linked media have reported multiple deaths and dozens of arrests, including individuals accused of exploiting the unrest. Security forces reportedly seized smuggled weapons and detained alleged monarchists and members of Europe-based groups.
The current protests are the largest in Iran since the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising, which erupted after Mahsa Amini’s death in custody. While officials say the unrest has not yet reached the scale or intensity of the 2022 demonstrations, the combination of economic hardship, political grievances, and external threats has heightened tensions both within Iran and across the region.
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