United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that the US is “locked and loaded” to respond if Iran harms protesters, following deadly cost-of-living demonstrations in the country.

Clashes between protesters and security forces erupted in several Iranian cities on Thursday, leaving six people reportedly dead, the first fatalities since the unrest escalated.

The protests began with shopkeepers in Tehran striking on Sunday over high prices and economic stagnation and have since spread to other parts of the country.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump said, “If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”

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Iran’s Fars news agency reported that two people were killed in clashes in Lordegan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, and three others in Azna, Lorestan province.

Earlier, state television said a member of Iran’s security forces was killed overnight during protests in the western city of Kouhdasht.

The current demonstrations are smaller than the major unrest in 2022, which followed the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.

Amini had been arrested for allegedly violating Iran’s strict dress code for women, and her death sparked nationwide protests that left hundreds dead, including dozens of security personnel.