ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Senior Iranian officials and politicians on Friday warned of retaliation in response to US President Donald Trump’s latest threat to “rescue” protesters in Iran, coming after days-long protests across the country that have resulted in civilian casualties.

Earlier in the day, Trump warned Iran, following days of nationwide protests and deadly clashes between security forces and demonstrators, saying Washington is ready to come to their “rescue” should Tehran's security forces kill protesters.

“We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” he wrote on Truth Social.

Many senior Iranian officials and politicians reacted swiftly to Trump’s comments.

Iran’s Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said that Iran’s capabilities today are “far beyond those of the 12-Day War,” adding in remarks to state broadcaster IRIB that if a threat is directed at the Islamic Republic, the armed forces’ response would be “complete and decisive, without any consideration.”

He stressed that Iran’s missile program cannot be eliminated by the United States, adding that “Iran’s missile capability cannot be destroyed by bombs or negotiations.”

In June, Israel killed top brass Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists with airstrikes, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran, with the two trading salvos of missiles and drones for 12 days. The US also bombed the key Natanz and Fordow nuclear sites in the country near the end of the conflict.

On Monday, alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump also warned that Washington would “absolutely” and “immediately” support potential renewed Israeli military actions targeting Iran if Tehran continues developing its nuclear and missile programs.

The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said on Thursday that Tehran is “moving forward on a sustainable path” with its nuclear program despite the threats.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, responding to Trump’s remarks, accused Washington of previous killings and violations against Iranians, saying the recent threat amounted to a “gross violation of the most important principle of international law” in a post on X.

“Iranians will not allow any foreign intervention in their dialogue and interaction with each other to solve problems,” Baghaei said.

After hardliners' threats failed to halt the demonstrations, the government has claimed it is acknowledging protesters’ demands, even as heavy clashes have erupted.

The Islamic Republic has a long history of cracking down on protesters and opening fire to control demonstrations, garnering international condemnation for the use of such tactics.

Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s top security body, also responded, saying US interference in Iran’s internal affairs would mean “destabilizing the entire region and destroying America’s interests” in a post on X.

“The American people should know — Trump started this adventurism. They should be mindful of their soldiers’ safety,” Larijani warned.

The senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Shamkhani, who was targeted by an Israeli missile during the June war, reacted by saying, “Iran’s national security is a red line, not the subject of adventurous tweets,” he said in a post on X. 

He added that any “interventionist” approach targeting Iran’s security will be cut off.

Strikes and protests erupted Sunday at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar over the falling value of the rial against the US dollar, spreading to other provinces as tensions rose and clashes between demonstrators and security forces intensified.

Protesters chanted slogans including “All these years of crimes, death to this guardianship” and “Iranians, shout out, raise your voice for your rights,” while some declared, “This year is the year of blood, Seyed Ali must be overthrown,” chants that have been widely used in previous protests.

The protests carry particular significance for the state, as Iran’s economy heavily relies on the Grand Bazaar, which has rarely participated in demonstrations, especially during the country’s largest nationwide protests in 2022, when much of the crowd urged the bazaar to join a strike against the government.