Trump and Top Iranian Officials Exchange Threats Over Protests Roiling Iran

TEHRAN, IRAN – JUNE 22: Iranian protesters chant slogans in Revolution Square to protest US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran on June 22, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. In the early hours of June 22, the United States dropped a series of bombs on several alleged nuclear facilities in Iran, joining Israel’s ongoing war with the country. Iran responded with a barrage of missiles at Israel and promised retaliation against US interests in the region. (Photo by Getty Images)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump and top Iranian officials have exchanged dueling threats as widening economic protests sweep across parts of the Islamic Republic. Trump initially wrote on his Truth Social platform, warning Iran that if it “violently kills peaceful protesters,” the United States “will come to their rescue.” At least eight people have been killed so far in violence surrounding demonstrations. Trump wrote, “We are locked and loaded and ready to go.” Shortly after, Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said U.S. intervention would lead to “chaos in the entire region and the destruction of the U.S. interests.”