President Donald Trump warned Iran on Sunday that the United States would respond forcefully if demonstrators were killed as nationwide protests entered a second week.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said Washington was monitoring events closely and would act if Iranian authorities repeat past violence against protesters.

Protests over rising prices

The unrest, fueled by a cost-of-living crisis, began on December 28 with a shopkeepers’ strike in Tehran and quickly spread to other cities.

At least 12 people, including members of the security forces, have been killed, according to official reports cited by Iranian authorities.

The demonstrations mark Iran’s most significant unrest since the 2022-2023 movement triggered by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by morality police for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code for women during nationwide protests that shook Iran.