Donald Trump warned that the United States would take action if Iranian authorities fire on peaceful protesters and carry out violent killings, as demonstrations continued across the country.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said that the violent suppression of protests is the Iranian government’s “custom” and that Washington would respond if such actions occur.
“We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” Trump wrote.
Protests in Iran entered their sixth day on Friday, January 2, according to reports. Iranian authorities have detained dozens of protesters, and at least seven people have been killed.
The demonstrations were sparked by the sharp and unprecedented fall of the Iranian rial against the US dollar, deepening economic turmoil and public anger over the government’s failure to address widespread livelihood concerns.
Iranian officials have not publicly responded to Trump’s remarks.
Protests continued across several Iranian cities for a fourth consecutive day on Wednesday, driven by surging currency prices and a deepening economic crisis. United States urged authorities to halt their crackdown on demonstrators.
Protesters gathered in the cities of Isfahan, Kermanshah and Fasa, with reports of fires being set in streets in some areas. In Fasa, located in Fars province, demonstrators assembled outside the governor’s office, and videos circulating on social media appeared to show protesters storming the building.
Footage from the city showed crowds chanting slogans including “Death to the dictator”, a chant also reported during demonstrations in Kermanshah. Protesters have blamed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for the country’s worsening economic conditions.
Earlier reports indicated that several protesters had been arrested. The University of Tehran’s student union council said six students detained during demonstrations had since been released.
The unrest has drawn international reaction. The Persian-language account of the US State Department on X said it was concerned by reports of intimidation, violence and arrests, calling on Iranian authorities to end the repression of protesters.
Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also commented on X, saying it was “no surprise” that Iranians were taking to the streets to protest a collapsing economy. He accused the Iranian leadership of undermining the country through “extremism and corruption”.
The protests follow strikes by Iranian merchants that began on Sunday, December 28, in response to the sharp fall in the national currency and deteriorating economic conditions.
Pakistan Army said a 36-year-old officer was killed during a security operation against militants in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In a statement issued on Monday, the army said the clash occurred during an operation launched after reports of the presence of armed militants in the area. Five members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan were killed in the exchange of fire, according to the military.
The army said the slain militants had previously been involved in attacks on Pakistan’s security forces and civilians. Following the clash, clearance operations continued to search for other militants in the area.
The military said its counterterrorism campaign would continue under a plan known as “Azm-e-Istehkam.”
Bajaur, a former tribal district bordering Afghanistan, has seen repeated security operations and armed clashes between Pakistani forces and militant groups in recent months.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, to discuss the growing tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan.
Araghchi expressed appreciation for Turkiye’s efforts to ease the crisis and stressed the need for continued engagement.
In a statement on Thursday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Araghchi “praised the efforts made to reduce tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan” and underlined the importance of intensified consultations to safeguard regional peace and stability.
The ministry said Araghchi also conveyed Iran’s readiness to help reduce tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan.
Araghchi had earlier discussed the crisis with his Russian and Qatari counterparts as part of broader diplomatic efforts to address the rift between Islamabad and the Taliban.
Since the onset of recent clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan, Iran has repeatedly offered to mediate, though neither side has responded to Tehran’s proposals.
Turkiye previously hosted two rounds of talks between Taliban and Pakistani delegations, but both ended without agreement. Relations between the two sides deteriorated sharply after the failed negotiations and following suicide attacks in Islamabad and an assault on a military college in South Waziristan.
According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry statement, Araghchi and Fidan also exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional developments.
Fidan highlighted the interconnected nature of regional peace and stability and said all countries must work to preserve them.
Araghchi also extended condolences over the deaths of several Turkish citizens in a military plane crash and expressed sympathy for the bereaved families.
The United Nations has not invited the Taliban to the two-week global climate summit that opened Monday in Belém, Brazil, with delegates from more than 190 countries in attendance.
The Taliban’s National Environmental Protection Agency said Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and argued that its exclusion runs counter to principles of climate justice and international cooperation.
In a statement issued Sunday, the agency said it was “deeply concerned” about being left out of this year’s UN climate conference and insisted that it remains committed to international partnerships and has prepared national documents related to climate mitigation.
The Taliban body said Afghanistan is experiencing a rise in climate-related disasters, including droughts, floods, storms, soil erosion, and deforestation, factors it said have worsened poverty and driven internal displacement.
The statement added that the Taliban considers itself committed to obligations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.
The 30th UN Climate Change Conference is being held in Brazil from 10 to 21 November. Last year’s summit in Azerbaijan included participation by Taliban representatives.
The Taliban’s environment agency said that excluding Afghanistan from this year’s gathering violates the principles of climate justice, global cooperation, and human solidarity.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a meeting in Baku that Türkiye is closely monitoring the rising border tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban.
He stressed that Ankara considers the preservation of the ceasefire between the two sides essential. Sharif, in turn, expressed appreciation for Türkiye’s role in facilitating recent talks between Islamabad and the Taliban.
The leaders met on Saturday on the sidelines of events marking the fifth anniversary of Azerbaijan’s Victory Day. Turkish and Pakistani troops and aircraft took part in the military parade.
According to the Pakistani government, Erdogan and Sharif agreed to maintain close coordination on regional and international issues and to strengthen joint efforts promoting peace and stability across the Islamic world.
Anadolu reported that Erdogan had conveyed concern over recent militant attacks in Pakistan and said Ankara was monitoring Islamabad’s tensions with the Taliban. He reportedly stressed that sustaining the ceasefire would be important and voiced hope that dialogue between Pakistan and the Taliban could lead to lasting stability. He said Türkiye intended to continue supporting the process.
Sharif, in a speech delivered at the Victory Day anniversary ceremony, said Pakistan’s recent efforts for peace had been tested in the context of Afghanistan. He reportedly credited Türkiye and Qatar with playing a valuable role in facilitating negotiations between Islamabad and the Taliban administration.
Senior officials from both countries attended the meeting, including Türkiye’s foreign minister, defence minister, and intelligence chief, as well as Pakistan’s army chief and other high-ranking representatives.
The third round of Pakistan–Taliban talks in Istanbul ended in deadlock. Pakistan’s defence minister said there were currently no plans for another round of talks. The Taliban spokesperson likewise confirmed that the Istanbul negotiations had produced no results, saying certain elements within Pakistan’s military and intelligence establishment were obstructing progress.
Qatar and Türkiye have hosted all three rounds of talks. The first round in Doha resulted in an immediate ceasefire, while the second and third rounds in Istanbul ended without agreement.
