Washington, Jan 2 (NationPress) President Donald Trump delivered a pointed warning to Iran, asserting that the United States would be ready to take action should Iranian officials resort to lethal force against demonstrators. This statement coincided with the announcement of a fresh set of sanctions aimed at Tehran's weaponry and drone networks associated with Venezuela.

In a social media update at 2:58 am (local time), Trump emphasized that should Iranian security personnel “shoot and violently kill peaceful protesters,” the United States would intervene, insisting that Washington was “locked and loaded and ready to go.”

“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,” Trump stated on Truth Social.

This warning surfaced amid rising turmoil in Iran, with reports indicating deadly confrontations between demonstrators and security forces during nearly a week of unrest.

“Violence erupted between Iranian protesters and police during unrest on Thursday, resulting in at least five fatalities on the fifth day of demonstrations sparked by the country’s economic crisis,” reported The Wall Street Journal.

The protests commenced on Sunday when merchants took to the streets in response to a dramatic decline in the value of the rial, Iran’s currency. “Global sanctions due to Iran’s reluctance to scale back its nuclear ambitions have resulted in significant economic challenges, including soaring inflation and a depreciation of its currency,” it noted.

Reacting to Trump’s social media message, Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, cautioned the United States against such actions. “The American populace should be aware that Trump initiated this endeavor, and they must prioritize the safety of their soldiers,” he expressed on X.

“We differentiate between the stance of the protesting merchants and the actions of disruptive elements, and Trump must understand that US intervention in this internal matter could destabilize the entire region and jeopardize American interests,” Larijani added.

Earlier this week, the US State Department declared sanctions against various entities and individuals accused of aiding Iran’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and ballistic missile initiatives.

In a statement, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott noted that the United States was sanctioning “ten entities and individuals based in Iran and Venezuela,” including a Venezuelan company implicated in the sale of “millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian-designed combat Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).”

Pigott emphasized that the designations also encompassed “entities and individuals connected to procurement networks supporting Iran’s UAV and ballistic missile programs.”

“Iran’s ongoing supply of conventional weapons to Caracas poses a threat to US interests in our region,” he stated.

According to the State Department, this action highlighted the necessity of reinstating sanctions and restrictions on Iran as per United Nations Security Council resolutions.

“The designated entities and individuals demonstrate that Iran is actively expanding its combat UAVs and continues to acquire missile-related items in violation of UN restrictions,” the statement concluded.

These developments unfold against the backdrop of a prolonged standoff between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program, missile development, and regional activities. The United States has consistently employed sanctions and diplomatic pressure to curtail Iran’s weapons programs.