Live from NPR News, I'm Janine Hurst. President Trump says the U.S. is prepared to intervene if Iran kills protesters.

NPR's Franco-Ordonias has more on Trump's pledge to defend demonstrators who've taken to the streets in recent days.

President Trump vowed to step in if Iran uses lethal force on demonstrators as economic protests continue.

In an early morning social media post, Trump wrote that if Iran kills peaceful protesters, then, quote,

the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.

The comments mark a sharp escalation by the president toward Iran.

Clashes between police and protesters have turned deadly over the past week. Iran warned that

any U.S. intervention would be crossing a red line and be met with a response. Franco, Ordoñez,

NPR News, Palm Beach. Federal authorities say they thwarted an alleged ISIS-inspired attack on New Year's Eve outside Charlotte, North Carolina.

Officials say the 18-year-old suspect is in custody.

MPR's Ryan Lucas has more.

Authorities say the defendant, Christian Sturdivant, was plotting to use knives in a hammered, carry out an attack at a grocery store and a fast food restaurant in Mint Hill, North Carolina.

Court papers say Sturdivant had been in touch about his plans with two individuals who he thought were members of ISIS, but were in fact undercover law enforcement officers.

He allegedly pledged allegiance to the terrorist group as well.

The FBI conducted a court-authorized search of Sturdivant's home,

where they found knives in the hammer under his bed,

as well as a document that allegedly contained detailed plans for an attack.

He was arrested on New Year's Eve before any attack took place.

Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has asked a top general to be his new chief of staff

as negotiators continue to draft proposals that would end Russia's war on Ukraine.

MPIRS Joanna Kikis reports,

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