As the fifth day of nationwide protests in Iran approaches, Donald Trump has issued a warning that the US military is “ready to go” if Iranian authorities brutally m_√d£r demonstrators.
A collapsing currency and growing living expenses were the main causes of the protests. Conflicts with security forces have reportedly resulted in the d£•ths of at least five people. The security forces have retaliated with live ammunition and tear gas.
“If Iran shoots [sic] and violently k!.lls peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue,” Trump warned on his Truth Social platform. We’re loaded, locked, and prepared to go. I appreciate you taking the time to consider this.”
Demonstrators in several cities have called for an end to the rule of Iran’s supreme leadership, with some openly demanding the return of the monarchy. Videos circulating online show crowds marching through Tehran chanting “Rest in peace Reza Shah,” a reference to the founder of Iran’s former royal dynasty overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The unrest has been described by some commentators as Iran’s “Tiananmen moment,” with protests breaking out across the country. Observers say the scale is the largest since demonstrations erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022, when authorities imposed internet shutdowns and violently suppressed dissent.
In an effort to curb the unrest, schools, universities, and other public institutions were closed on Wednesday. Heavy police deployment has been reported around Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, where the protests are believed to have started. Arrests have also been reported in multiple locations.
Protests have spread beyond the capital to cities including Isfahan, Yazd, Zanjan, and Fasa, where footage showed demonstrators attacking a government building.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday, December 30, that he had instructed the government to listen to the “legitimate demands” of protesters. A government spokesperson added that a dialogue mechanism would be created to engage with leaders of the protest movement.
Despite these assurances, tensions remain high as international attention grows over how Iranian authorities will respond in the coming days.