Iran has warned that 'all US bases and forces in the entire region' would become 'legitimate targets' if Washington intervenes in internal protests, after Donald Trump vowed to protect anti-regime protesters.

Tehran issued the stark threat after the US President said America was 'locked and loaded and ready to go' if Iranian authorities killed peaceful demonstrators during nationwide protests over soaring living costs. 

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, accused foreign intelligence agencies of attempting to hijack legitimate protests and turn them into violent unrest.

'The devil's cry was raised because the efforts of armed field agents of the intelligence services to turn the legitimate protests of the bazaars and guilds into violent and armed urban battles failed,' he said in an X post.

He added that Iran had repeatedly defeated enemies 'far more experienced' throughout history and insisted the country did not equate protesters with foreign mercenaries, saying: 'We embrace our beloved children.'

But Mr Ghalibaf issued a direct warning to Washington, saying the 'disrespectful President of the United States' should understand that any American 'adventure' would make all US centres and forces across the region 'legitimate targets'.

He also stressed that Iranians are 'always united and determined to act against any aggressor.'

Iran has warned that 'all US bases and forces in the entire region' would become 'legitimate targets' if Washington intervenes in Iran's internal protests, after President Donald Trump vowed to protect anti-regime protesters

Protesters and security forces clashed in several Iranian cities on Thursday with six reported killed in the first deaths since the unrest escalated. Pictured: Screengrab of footage shared online which appeared to show protesters clashing with the security force 

It comes after President Trump threatened U.S. action if Iran kills protesters, after cost-of-living demonstrations in the country turned deadly.

Protesters and security forces clashed in several Iranian cities on Thursday with six reported killed in the first deaths since the unrest escalated.

Shopkeepers in the capital Tehran went on strike on Sunday over high prices and economic stagnation, actions that have since spread to other parts of the country.

Trump said on his Truth Social platform that '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,' the Republican leader added.

The senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Larijani, responding to Trump's warning on Friday, said that US interference ​in Iranian protests ⁠would lead to chaos ​across the Middle East.