Former US President Donald Trump has issued a direct and bellicose threat to Iran's leadership, declaring the United States Army is "locked and loaded and ready to go" should the regime move to violently crush ongoing peaceful demonstrations.
Trump's Social Media Ultimatum
The warning was delivered via his Truth Social platform on Friday 02 January 2026. It comes amid widespread civil unrest across Iran, where protestors are reportedly calling for the overthrow of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. The protests have been fuelled by severe economic hardship, including a dramatic currency crash, conditions that have persisted since the imposition of US tariffs back in 2018.
Social media footage has shown significant turmoil in major cities including Tehran. According to reports, at least six people have been killed in clashes between security forces and demonstrators, highlighting the volatile situation on the ground.
Domestic Backlash and Political Fallout
Trump's intervention has not gone unchallenged at home. Prominent Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene publicly criticised his stance. She controversially linked his involvement in overseas unrest to fears of a potential "tax revolt" among American citizens, who she suggested are increasingly concerned about foreign spending.
This criticism underscores the domestic political divisions that foreign policy announcements can ignite, even from a former president. The remarks were made as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting Florida, adding another layer of geopolitical context to Trump's statement.
A Region on Edge
The situation leaves Iran at a critical juncture, grappling with internal dissent while facing a very public threat from a key US political figure. The combination of deep-seated economic grievances and the spectre of external intervention creates a highly unstable mix for the region.
Analysts will be watching closely to see how the Iranian government responds to both the protest movement and the rhetoric from abroad. The events of early 2026 mark a significant escalation in tensions, with Trump's "locked and loaded" warning representing one of the most unambiguous threats of military action in recent years concerning Iran's internal affairs.
