U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iranian authorities against harming peaceful protesters, stating that the United States would intervene. In a social media post on Friday, Trump wrote, "If Iran shots sic and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue."

Trump's statement, posted on Truth Social, did not specify what form U.S. intervention might take. The warning comes as Iran has experienced nearly a week of mass protests driven by deteriorating economic conditions. Reports indicate that at least eight people have died during the unrest.

A senior advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded to Trump's warning, advising the former president to "be careful" and cautioning that intervention could lead to widespread chaos in the Middle East.

The protests in Iran reflect long-standing grievances over economic hardship, inflation, and unemployment, issues that have been exacerbated by international sanctions and internal economic policies. Iran's economy has struggled in recent years, particularly after the U.S. withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, in 2018 and reimposed sanctions.

In June, under Trump's direction, the U.S. carried out strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. U.S. officials asserted that these strikes significantly hindered Iran's nuclear weapons development, a claim disputed by Iranian authorities.

The potential for U.S. intervention raises concerns about further destabilization in a region already grappling with numerous conflicts. The relationship between the U.S. and Iran has been fraught with tension for decades, marked by mutual distrust and conflicting geopolitical interests. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with many nations urging restraint and calling for dialogue to address the underlying issues fueling the protests. The future course of events will likely depend on the Iranian government's response to the protests and any further actions taken by the United States.