United States President Donald Trump on three occasion this month publicly warned Iran’s leadership over its handling of nationwide protests, vowing consequences if Iranian authorities use lethal force against demonstrators.

Trump’s first warning came on January 2, when he cautioned Tehran against killing peaceful protesters and suggested the United States was prepared to intervene.

In a social media post, he wrote, “We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” and added on Truth Social: “If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue.” He did not elaborate on what form any U.S. action might take.

The remarks drew a swift response from Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, who warned that U.S. involvement would have serious regional consequences. “Trump should know that US interference in this internal matter would mean destabilising the entire region and destroying America’s interests,” Larijani said.

Two days later, on January 4, Trump sharpened his tone, warning that Iran’s leaders would be “hit very hard” if protesters were killed. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he said, “We’re watching it very closely. If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they’re going to get hit very hard by the United States.”

Inside Iran, authorities signaled a dual approach of limited conciliation and harsh repression. On January 5, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said the state was prepared to hear legitimate grievances over economic and social conditions but would act decisively against those it accused of fomenting unrest.

“Rioters must know there will be no leniency or appeasement towards them,” Ejei said, echoing earlier remarks by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that “rioters should be put in their place.”

Trump issued his third and most direct warning on January 9, as videos circulated showing protests spreading across Iran and authorities imposed an internet blackout to contain the unrest. In a stark message aimed at Iran’s leadership, he said, “You better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting too.”

Trump added that he feared for the safety of demonstrators, saying, “I just hope the protesters in Iran are going to be safe, because that’s a very dangerous place right now.”

The exchange has heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran as protests continue and international concern grows over the risk of further violence.