Overview
- Trump warned on Truth Social that the United States would help if security forces kill peaceful demonstrators, saying forces are "locked and loaded," drawing a sharp caution from Iranian security chief Ali Laridschani.
- Protests that began with shopkeepers in Tehran have spread to roughly two dozen cities, with reports from Isfahan, Shiraz, Lordegan and Kuhdasht of continued demonstrations.
- Iranian outlets and the NGO Hengaw reported multiple deaths since Thursday, including at least two in Lordegan and additional fatalities in Lorestan and Isfahan, with totals reported at six to seven.
- State media said a 21-year-old Basij member was killed in Kuhdasht, a claim Hengaw and relatives disputed by asserting he was a civilian shot by security forces.
- Authorities deployed tear gas and water cannon in major cities, activists alleged live fire in Fars, prosecutors promised a "decisive" response, and President Massud Peseschkian sought dialogue while acknowledging government mistakes on inflation and currency policy.