‘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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US Consulate in Dubai reportedly attacked
Dubai: Smoke was seen rising from an area near the United States Consulate in Dubai, according to witness accounts cited by Reuters.
There was no immediate official confirmation on the extent of damage or whether there were any casualties in the incident.
Earlier, the US embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, was also attacked. Authorities reported damage to the premises, but no casualties were recorded.
The developments come amid heightened tensions in the region, with Iran continuing to target US interests in the Middle East following deadly attacks launched on Saturday by Israel and the United States.
Near US embassy in Dubai pic.twitter.com/z5VTZNVxNO
— Sahil Shah (@thesahilsshah) March 3, 2026
