US President Donald Trump has issued a firm warning to Iran’s leadership over its handling of ongoing protests, saying the United States would not stand by if peaceful demonstrators were violently targeted. His remarks have drawn sharp responses from senior Iranian officials, even as international concern grows over the situation on the ground.

In a brief message posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump cautioned Iran’s authorities against using lethal force on protesters. “We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” he wrote, without elaborating on what form any potential US response might take. The statement underscored Washington’s stated support for the rights of peaceful protesters and added to the mounting diplomatic pressure on Tehran.

The warning came amid reports that at least six people were killed on Thursday, as protests entered nearly a week of demonstrations across the country. The unrest has been driven largely by worsening economic conditions, including rising prices and broader frustrations over livelihoods. Despite the tensions, protests have continued to draw attention from the international community, with calls for restraint and dialogue increasing.

Teenagers as young as 16 are among dozens of people still unaccounted for following a devastating fire at a bar in Switzerland, a tragedy that has shaken families across Europe while emergency services continue intensive rescue and identification efforts.

One of the most distressing aspects of the incident is the age of many of those affected. A large number of the dead and injured are teenagers and young adults who had gathered to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Le Constellation, a venue well known for attracting a youthful crowd. The bar was popular with tourists, seasonal ski workers and local residents, and with the legal drinking age set at 16, it had become a familiar meeting place for young people in the area.

More than 24 hours after the fire, uncertainty continues to weigh heavily on families. Parents from several countries are still searching desperately for their children, while survivors—many of them very young—have begun recounting the traumatic scenes they witnessed, experiences they say will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

Among those still missing are six Italian teenagers. The mother of one of them, Giovanni Tamburi from Genoa, has made an emotional public appeal on social media, asking for assistance in tracing her son. She says the last contact she had with Giovanni was a New Year’s message sent shortly after midnight. Since then, his phone has remained unanswered.

Giovanni had been at the bar with friends, several of whom managed to escape the blaze. Despite contacting hospitals across the region, his mother has so far been unable to find any information about his whereabouts, reflecting the agonising uncertainty faced by many families.

Swiss official Stéphane Ganzer has provided updates to French broadcaster RTL, seeking to clarify conflicting reports about the scale of the tragedy. Earlier statements attributed to the Italian foreign ministry had suggested that as many as 47 people may have died in the fire. Responding to these figures, Ganzer said he was “surprised,” noting that they did not align with the information available to Swiss authorities.

According to Ganzer, around 40 fatalities have been confirmed so far, while between 80 and 100 people are believed to be seriously injured and in urgent need of medical care. He stressed that the situation remains fluid, with emergency teams and medical staff working continuously as more information becomes available.

Ganzer also highlighted the critical condition of many burn victims, explaining that individuals suffering third-degree burns over 15% of their bodies face a significantly higher risk of septicaemia, which could increase the likelihood of further fatalities in the hours and days ahead.

Two people have been reported dead amid continued demonstrations in Iran, as public unrest linked to the rising cost of living entered its fifth day, underscoring the depth of economic concerns facing many citizens.

According to reports by the semi-official Fars news agency and Kurdish human rights group Hengaw, the fatalities occurred during confrontations between protesters and security forces in the city of Lordegan, located in Iran’s south-western region. The incident reflects the growing intensity of demonstrations as economic pressures persist across the country.

Videos circulated on social media on Thursday showed dramatic scenes from the protests, including cars set ablaze amid fast-moving clashes between demonstrators and security personnel. Despite the volatility, the widespread sharing of footage highlights an increasingly engaged population using digital platforms to express grievances and draw attention to local developments.

Protesters in several cities have voiced broader political demands alongside economic frustrations. Some chants have called for an end to the rule of Iran’s supreme leader, while others have reflected nostalgia among certain groups for Iran’s former monarchical system. These varied expressions point to an evolving national conversation driven by economic hardship and aspirations for change.

The protests were triggered by a sharp collapse in the national currency, which has significantly affected purchasing power and daily life. As demonstrations spread, authorities declared a bank holiday on Wednesday, leading to the closure of schools, universities, and public institutions nationwide. While officials cited energy conservation due to cold weather as the reason, many citizens interpreted the move as an effort to reduce public gatherings and ease tensions.