‘Locked and Loaded’ – RedState

President Trump on Friday issued a stark warning to the Iranian regime, vowing U.S. intervention if leaders in the rogue nation use deadly pressure against peaceable protesters. This comes as widespread demonstrations erupt across Iran over financial hardships.

Trump posted his warning to Truth Social.

“If Iran (shoots) and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue,” the President cautioned. “We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”

His message marks a sharp escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as protests have already turned lethal. Reports have indicated that at least one protester has been killed. Other as of yet unverified experiences point out more deaths.

The unrest started late last week when shopkeepers in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar went on strike in response to the Iranian rial’s (their official currency) plunge to a file low against the U.S. greenback. Inflation has surged, devastating atypical Iranians already battered by years of regime mismanagement.

Mark Carney, Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer stand with Hamas.

Donald Trump stands with the people of Iran.

I had to test for myself that this is real — it’s. pic.twitter.com/IrADvUFBsE

— Ezra Levant 🍁🚛 (@ezralevant) January 2, 2026

READ MORE: Happy 2026! Predictions for the New Year

Watch: Protests in Iran Are Spreading, As More Bravely Stand Up to the Regime

Earlier in the week, President Trump didn’t point out whether or not or not he supported regime change in Iran, but did issue a warning that the protests could worsen.

“They’ve got a lot of problems: tremendous inflation, their economy is bust, their economy is no good, and I know people aren’t so happy,” he told reporters.

RedState reporter Nick Arama revealed that the protests in Iran are spreading fast as more and more demonstrators stand up to the brutal regime. But it looks as if we have seen this play out before. Will these protests mark one thing that basically alters that nation?

“There have been numerous protests over the years in Iran,” Arama writes, “but there are indications in this one that are giving many great hope, as we enter a new year.”

Day 4 of protests in Iran.
The people are chanting for the return of the King.
No chants against the West.
No chants against Israel.
Iran was hijacked by terrorists in 1979, and the people need their nation back. Is the media only when protests assault Israel? pic.twitter.com/YkAhxUuUXm

— Sina (@SinaMihandoost) December 31, 2025

Trump’s stern warning also comes after RedState reporter Ward Clark predicted that “one thing big” is going on in Iran as we enter a new yr.

“It looks like it’s about to get very interesting,” Clark envisions. “Tehran is dying of thirst, due to drought and also due to the incompetence of the ruling mullahs and their predilection for funding terrorists rather than handling actual distributed interests of the Iranian people, like basic infrastructure.”

“It’s looking a lot like the Iranian people have finally had enough, and in the end, it has to be the Iranian people who toss those Bronze Age barbarians out,” he added. “I think this may well be the year they do it.”

Trump’s warning builds on his administration’s robust stance against Iran, including devastating U.S. airstrikes in June on their nuclear amenities. They are fairly conscious that when the Commander-in-Chief points a warning, he’s definitely prepared to observe through. 

With the regime weakened by financial disaster, misplaced allies just like the Assad authorities in Syria, and inside dissent, some analysts consider these protests pose the most critical menace to the Islamic Republic in years.

Editor’s Note: Do you get pleasure from RedState’s conservative reporting that takes on the novel left and woke media? Support our work so that we are able to continue to carry you the reality.

Join RedState VIP and use the promo code MERRY74 to obtain 74% off your membership.