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U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Friday that the United States is "locked and loaded" if Iran kills protesters, as economic demonstrations in the country entered their sixth day with at least seven dead.
"If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "We are locked and loaded and ready to go."
The warning came as Iranian security forces arrested at least 44 people across multiple provinces Thursday, with violence intensifying in several cities. Authorities detained 30 suspects in Tehran's western Malard district and 14 others in Alborz province for allegedly producing explosives.
Three people were killed and 17 injured Wednesday evening when armed individuals attacked a police station in Azna, Lorestan province, during protest demonstrations, according to the semi-official Fars News Agency.
The unrest began Dec. 28 when merchants in Tehran's Grand Bazaar launched strikes over the Iranian rial's collapse to approximately 1.5 million rials per U.S. dollar and inflation exceeding 40%. Demonstrations have since spread to more than 35 cities across at least 21 provinces.
Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani acknowledged Dec. 30 that authorities "see, hear and officially recognize the protests, crises and difficulties." President Masoud Pezeshkian said his government takes responsibility for economic problems and urged officials not to blame external actors like the United States.
Beyond the Azna attack, a 21-year-old Basij militia member was killed in Kuhdasht on Dec. 31, with 13 police officers injured. Two additional deaths were reported Jan. 1 in Lordegan during protests.
The demonstrations represent the largest wave of unrest in Iran since 2022, when Mahsa Amini's death in police custody sparked nationwide protests. However, the current movement stems primarily from economic desperation, with food prices reportedly rising 60%-70%.
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