Trump says US will intervene if Iran 'kills peaceful protesters'

President Trump on Friday said that the U.S. will intervene if Iran "kills peaceful protesters."

"If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue," Trump posted on Truth Social early Friday. "We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J.TRUMP."

The largest protests in Iran since 2022 occurred over the weekend amid worsening economic conditions, The Hill reported.

On Thursday, the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights said that Iranian authorities detained at least 29 demonstrators amid the protests. Also on Thursday, at least three protesters were killed, and 17 others were wounded during an attack on a police station in Iran, according to Far News Agency.

Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s national security council, shared Trump's post on X on Friday, writing in response, "With the statements by Israeli officials and @realDonaldTrump, what has been going on behind the scenes is now clear. We distinguish between the stance of the protesting shopkeepers and the actions of disruptive actors, and Trump should know that U.S. interference in this internal matter would mean destabilizing the entire region and destroying America’s interests.

"The American people should know — Trump started this adventurism. They should be mindful of their soldiers’ safety."