Secretary of State Marco Rubiodoubled down on U.S.support for Iranian protestersearly Saturday morning as the current regime cracked down on growing unrest in the country.
Protests in Iran, the largest in years, are targeting the theocratic government that has been in place since 1979. Citizens have long weathered the economic costs of international sanctions on the regime but took to the streets when inflation surpassed 40% in December.
"The United States supports the brave people of Iran," Rubio wrote on social media at 12:30 a.m.
Trumpsaid Jan. 2that the U.S. would come to the rescue "if Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom." Earlier on Jan. 9, Trump warned Tehran in comments to reporters, "You better not start shooting because we'll start shooting too."
Anti-government protests in Iran appeared to accelerate on Jan. 9, sparked by anger over the collapse of the country's currency and a broader sense of hopelessness and disillusionment with Tehran's clerical leaders.The uptick in unrest also comes as President Donald Trump warned Iran's authorities against killing peaceful protesters, saying Washington "will come to their rescue."
See the scenes in Iran, beginning here on the streets amid anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from social media video released on January 8, 2026. Witnesses told Reuters protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8, however this video's date taken has not been verified.
See Iran's anti-government protests, huge crowds, unrest in photos
Anti-government protests in Iranappeared to accelerate on Jan. 9, sparked by anger over the collapse of the country's currency and a broader sense of hopelessness and disillusionment with Tehran's clerical leaders.
The uptick in unrest also comes as PresidentDonald Trumpwarned Iran's authorities against killing peaceful protesters, sayingWashington "will come to their rescue."See the scenes in Iran, beginning here on the streets amid anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from social media video released on January 8, 2026. Witnesses told Reuters protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8, however this video's date taken has not been verified.
An Iranian rights groupsaid it documented 65 deaths, including 50 protesters and 15 security personnel as of January 9. The Norway-based human rights group Hengaw said more than 2,500 people had been arrested over the past two weeks.
Overnight, Iranian authorities arrested what it called 100 "armed rioters" in a town near Tehran, according to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency. In a statement broadcast by state TV, a security force known for quelling unrest accused terrorists of targeting military and law enforcement bases over the past two nights.
In videos and images that have slipped past internet censors in Iran, protesters call for the overthrow of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the return of the exiled son of Iran's last king, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi.
Pahlavi is based in Virginia and supports the protesters.He wroteon social media less than an hour before Rubio's post: "Our goal is no longer merely to come to the streets; the goal is to prepare for seizing the centers of cities and holding them."
"I too am preparing to return to the homeland so that at the time of our national revolution's victory, I can be beside you, the great nation of Iran," Pahlavi wrote. "I believe that day is very near."
Khamenei on Jan. 9 accused protesters of acting on behalf of Trump, saying rioters were attacking public properties and warning that Tehran would not tolerate people acting as "mercenaries for foreigners".
The leaders of France, Britain and Germany also issued a joint statement condemning the killing of protesters.
Contributing: Reuters, Kim Hjelmgaard, Joey Garrison
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Secretary of State doubles down on US support for Iranian protesters