Trump 'Locked and Loaded' as Deadly Iran Protests Escalate over Currency Collapse 2026

The U.S. is "locked and loaded" to intervene in Iran. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning on January 2, 2026, as deadly protests over a collapsing currency swept through Tehran and western provinces. According to Reuters, the unrest marks the most significant internal challenge to Iranian authorities in years, leaving at least 10 deaths reported since Wednesday.

Economic Freefall: The Rial's Collapse and Soaring Inflation

The trigger for the chaos is a botched economic liberalization program. President Masoud Pezeshkian's move to deregulate currency exchange backfired, causing the Rial to plummet on the unofficial market. Official estimates place inflation above 36%, leaving ordinary Iranians unable to afford basic necessities.

While the scale is currently smaller than the 2022 protests, the desperation is palpable. Videos verified by Reuters show demonstrators shouting "shameless" at authorities in front of burning police stations. In Zahedan, chants of "Death to the dictator" echoed through the streets, highlighting the growing political nature of the economic grievances.

Maximum Pressure 2.0: Trump’s Military Posture

Trump's "locked and loaded" comment isn't just rhetoric—it follows a joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign in June 2025 that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. The President's latest social media post suggests he's ready to provide direct aid to protesters if Iran's security forces use lethal force.

In a rare admission, President Pezeshkian acknowledged that the authorities are to blame for the crisis, urging officials to serve the people properly. However, with Israel pounding Hezbollah and the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, Tehran's regional influence is at its weakest point in decades.