January 2, 2026 | 07:00 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - United States President Donald Trump on Friday, January 2, 2026, warned that Washington could intervene if Iran uses lethal force against demonstrators, saying the United States is “locked and loaded and ready to go” should peaceful protesters be killed.
In a post on his Truth Social account, as reported by Anadolu, Trump wrote: “If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Senior Iranian officials quickly pushed back, warning that any U.S. intervention would destabilize the region and provoke a strong response. NBC News reported that Iranian leaders described Trump’s remarks as a threat to regional security.
Ali Larijani, a former parliamentary speaker who currently serves as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, accused Israel and the United States of orchestrating the unrest.
“Trump should know that intervention by the U.S. in the domestic problem corresponds (to) chaos in the entire region and the destruction of the U.S. interests,” Larijani wrote on X, a platform that is blocked in Iran.
Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, echoed the warning. “Any hand of intervention that comes close to Iran’s security under any pretext will be cut off before it can act,” he said.
Meanwhile, reports from Iran indicated a rising death toll as protests intensified. Semi-official news agency Fars and the Hengaw Human Rights Organization reported at least six fatalities during clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
In the city of Azna in Lorestan Province, about 300 kilometers southwest of Tehran, at least three people were killed and 17 injured. Two deaths were reported in Lordegan in southwestern Iran, while one person was killed in Kuhdasht.
Videos circulating online and geolocated by NBC News showed unrest in several cities. One video from Azna, shared on Thursday, showed two cars burning outside a police station as a crowd cheered and gunshots were heard.
Another video from Marvdasht in Fars Province showed a large crowd marching toward security forces while chanting “shameless.”
Fars, citing an unnamed local official, reported that more than 150 people gathered in Lordegan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, chanting anti-government slogans and throwing stones at public buildings.
”After police intervened, some protesters opened fire at security forces, injuring a number of officers, while two people were killed during the clashe,” the official said.
Read: Several People Killed as Protests Spread Across Iran
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
CIA Strikes on Venezuelan Port Facility to Target Drug Smuggling
2 hari lalu
CIA launched a drone strike on a port facility on the coast of Venezuela earlier this month, CNN reported.
Trump Warns Iran Against Rebuilding Nuclear Program
3 hari lalu
US President Donald Trump said Iranian leaders "know the consequences" should Iran try to rebuild its nuclear program after June's brief war.
Pope Leo, Donald Trump Differ on Course of United States
6 hari lalu
"Who is the world's most powerful American?" That was the question posed by international media when Robert Prevost became Pope Leo XIV.
Indonesian Minister Responds to US Request on Critical Mineral Access
6 hari lalu
Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto said the US request for Indonesia's critical minerals is part of ongoing tariff talks.
US Overhauls H-1B Visa to Favor High-Skilled, Top Earners
7 hari lalu
The US is replacing the H-1B visa lottery with a system favoring high-skilled, high-paid workers. New rules start in 2026 to protect American wages.
Epstein Documents Release May Take "Few Weeks," DOJ Says
8 hari lalu
The US Department of Justice said it needed time to sift through over a million newly recovered documents related to the case.
Today's Top 3 News: New Epstein Files Reveal Trump's Jet Trips with Maxwell
8 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
New Epstein Files Reveal Trump's Jet Trips with Maxwell
9 hari lalu
Newly released Epstein files highlight US President Donald Trump's past jet trips with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate.
Russia, Iran, China Support Venezuela Against US Maritime Blockade
9 hari lalu
Russia, Iran, and China have pledged support for Venezuela after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a maritime blockade.
Trump Announces US Will Store Oil and Ships Seized from Venezuela
10 hari lalu
President Donald Trump asserts that the U.S. will maintain oil commodities and seize ships off the Venezuelan coast.
