‘Locked and loaded’: Trump warns US will intervene if Iran kills peaceful protesters
Washington: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a strong warning to Iran amid ongoing nationwide protests, saying that if Iran kills peaceful protesters, US will come to their rescue.
According to a report published by Hindustan Times, “We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” Trump said, responding to reports of violent crackdowns on protesters.
Protests erupted in Iran on Sunday, beginning in the capital city of Tehran, after shopkeepers and traders took to the streets to protest the government’s handling of the economy. Demonstrators cited a sharp fall in the national currency, rising inflation, and prolonged economic stagnation. Iran’s official inflation rate stood at 42.5 per cent in December.
The protests intensified after students from at least ten universities joined the demonstrations on Tuesday. Markets have been shut amid the ongoing protests and the government declared a holiday due to cold weather, effectively shutting much of the country.
According to reports, at least seven people have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces since the demonstrations began. As per the report, protests have spread to multiple provinces, with some confrontations turning fatal over the past 24 hours.
Protesters reportedly clashed with police, hurled stones at officers, and torched vehicles, Iran's Fars news agency said. They claimed that some armed “disturbers” took advantage of the protests and that firearms were later seized from several individuals.
Iran’s civilian government, led by President Masoud Pezeshkian, has tried to show a willingness to engage with protesters.
“From an Islamic perspective... if we do not resolve the issue of people’s livelihoods, we will end up in Hell,” he said at an event aired on state television.
Iran’s economy has been under sustained pressure for years due to US and Western sanctions linked to its nuclear programme. Regional tensions have further strained state finances, particularly following a 12-day conflict with Israel in June.
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Karnataka leads in AI: Minister Priyank Kharge at Impact Summit
Bengaluru (PTI): Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday highlighted the state’s leadership in AI and deep technology while engaging with global industry leaders and startups at a four-day summit held in New Delhi, officials said.
During the event, Priyank witnessed the signing of a strategic MoU between H Company and St John’s Medical College & Research Institute, Bengaluru, to pilot advanced enterprise AI for hospital operations and workflow automation, strengthening responsible AI in healthcare, the minister’s office said in a statement here.
Speaking on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit, the minister said Karnataka is ahead of the curve in AI.
“We are already home to leading global AI players such as Harvey AI and Anthropic, and The Walt Disney Company is expanding its AI network in Bengaluru,” he added.
Noting Bengaluru’s position among the top global cities for AI talent, he added, “Under our DeepTech Decade, we are supporting startups with grants of up to Rs 1 crore. We are engaging with global leaders and innovators to ensure responsible AI use, build the right skill sets, create strong incubators, and establish Centres of Excellence that can foster startups and strengthen e-governance.”
The minister also attended a roundtable organised by the US-India Business Council (USIBC), where discussions focused on strengthening technology collaboration, investment partnerships, and innovation-led growth between Karnataka and global enterprises.
He met Timo Harakka, Member of Parliament of Finland, to explore possibilities for collaboration between Karnataka and Finland in AI and deep-tech sectors, including joint research, innovation partnerships, and startup exchanges.
The Karnataka IT Minister also visited the Indian Army showcase at the summit, which featured advanced AI-driven defence and strategic technology applications, highlighting the role of AI in national security and modernisation efforts.
He toured the Karnataka Pavilion and the ArtPark Pavilion, interacting with founders and teams from Karnataka’s innovation ecosystem and reviewing emerging AI and deep-tech solutions, the statement added.
