President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, stating that the United States is 'locked and loaded' and prepared to intervene if Iranian authorities kill protesters. The warning comes as widespread demonstrations over economic hardship have erupted across Iran, with deadly clashes reported between protesters and security forces in multiple cities.

The unrest, the largest in three years, has seen shopkeepers in Tehran and other cities go on strike, while riot police have responded with force, resulting in several deaths and mass arrests. Protesters have chanted anti-government slogans and faced heavy crackdowns, with roads blocked and armed security deployed.

Iranian officials have condemned foreign interference, warning it could destabilize the region further. Meanwhile, images of defiant protesters, including one likened to the iconic 'Tank Man' of Tiananmen Square, have spread widely, symbolizing the growing dissent. The demonstrations come amid soaring inflation, a plunging currency, and ongoing tensions with Western powers over Iran's nuclear program.