Tuesday, January 13th saw U.S. president Donald Trump urge Iranians to continue nationwide protests and seize control of their country’s institutions amid a brutal crackdown on demonstrators. Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote:
Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING—TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY.
Trump, who has previously threatened Iran with military intervention, did not specify what form the promised “help” would take.
On Monday, his Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that a diplomatic channel with Tehran remained open. Leavitt said that Iran had taken a “far different tone” in private discussions with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Trump also announced a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran, intensifying pressure as rights groups reported that at least 648 people have died during the crackdown. The protestors—now threatened with capital punishment—have demonstrated for consecutive nights, representing one of the most significant challenges to the clerical leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
