A large anti-Israel banner portraying an image of a Palestinian fighter is erected in Palestine Square in Tehran, Iran, on Dec. 31, 2025. Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images
U.S. President Donald Trump on Jan. 4 warned Iran that the United States is prepared to respond forcefully if Iranian security forces escalate lethal violence against protesters, as rights groups reported that at least 16 people had been killed during a week of unrest sparked by soaring inflation and a collapsing currency.
“We’re watching it very closely,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when asked about the protests and earlier remarks in which he said Washington was “locked and loaded” and ready to come to the rescue if Iran kills peaceful protesters.
