Trump Warns Iran: 'Ready to Strike' if Protesters Killed

WISE NEWS PRESS / LONDON, UK — JAN. 2, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to the Iranian government, declaring that the United States is "ready to strike" if Tehran resorts to lethal force against demonstrators as nationwide protests enter their sixth day.

The warning comes amid reports of the first confirmed deaths in the widespread unrest, triggered by a collapse in the national currency and soaring living costs, which has now spread to major cities including Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz.

'A tradition of killing'

Writing on his Truth Social platform, President Trump stated that the U.S. is monitoring the situation closely. "We are ready to strike," Trump warned, adding that opening fire on peaceful protesters and "brutally killing them is an Iranian tradition."

The comments drew an immediate rebuke from Tehran. Ali Larijani, an advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, warned that any foreign intervention would drag the region into instability. Similarly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that any "oppressive act of aggression" would be met with a "severe and regretful" response.

First confirmed casualties

Despite the rhetoric, violence has escalated on the ground. Videos circulating on social media show clashes between protesters and security forces in at least three cities, with tear gas deployed and gunshots audible.

The semi-official Fars news agency reported two deaths in the city of Lordegan but did not identify the victims. However, the human rights organization Hengaw identified the deceased demonstrators as Ahmed Jalil and Sajad Valamanesh. These mark the first confirmed fatalities of the current wave of unrest.

In Kuhdasht, local officials reported that 13 police officers and one member of the paramilitary Basij force were injured by stone-throwing protesters.

Economic roots and cabinet shakeup

The protests began on December 28 following a record drop in the Iranian Rial against the U.S. dollar, sparking strikes by merchants in Tehran's Grand Bazaar. The unrest has since evolved into political demonstrations, with chants of "Death to the Dictator"—a reference to Supreme Leader Khamenei—heard on university campuses.

In an attempt to quell the economic anger, President Pezeshkian accepted the resignation of Central Bank Governor Mohammad-Reza Farzin on December 29, replacing him with former Finance Minister Abdolnasser Hemmati.

The unrest was also a key topic during a recent meeting between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida. While Trump declined to explicitly endorse regime change, he acknowledged the dire economic situation in Iran and suggested he could support Israeli airstrikes if Tehran attempts to rebuild its nuclear or ballistic missile programs.

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