Nationwide protests swept across Iran starting on December 28, 2025, initially fueled by severe economic grievances such as the collapse of the national currency (rial), high inflation, and government mismanagement. These demonstrations quickly broadened to include explicit anti-government sentiment, with many protesters calling for the ouster of the Islamic Republic and its Supreme Leader. In response to the escalating unrest and reports of a government crackdown, then-President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Iran in early January 2026. He stated that the United States would 'come to their rescue' if Iranian authorities 'shots and violently kills peaceful protesters,' adding that the US was 'locked and loaded and ready to go.' This declaration from Trump marked a significant escalation in US rhetoric and raised fears of potential military intervention, drawing swift condemnation from Iranian officials who warned against foreign interference. Iran's Foreign Minister called Trump's statement 'reckless and dangerous,' while an adviser to the Supreme Leader stated that Iran's national security was a 'red line.' The death toll from the protests, initially reported at around seven to ten casualties in the early days of January 2026, surged dramatically as the crackdown intensified. By mid-January 2026, activist groups reported thousands killed, with figures reaching over 2,000, 2,400, and even 3,000, including protesters and security forces. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while blaming Trump for inciting 'sedition,' acknowledged 'several thousand' deaths by January 17, 2026. Despite Trump later claiming that the killing had stopped, activist reports continued to indicate significant casualties. The events highlighted deep structural unrest within Iran, exacerbated by sanctions and internal policies.