Trump Promises Support for Iranian Protesters Amid Crackdown

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he is halting prospects for negotiations with Iranian officials, expressing support for citizens protesting against the government. In a message shared via social media, Trump declared, “Help is on its way,” although he did not specify what form this assistance would take. His comments come in the wake of escalating violence in Iran, where the death toll from nationwide protests has reportedly surpassed 2,000, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency.

Trump’s latest statement marks a notable shift in his approach toward Iran. Previously, he indicated that the Iranian government was interested in discussions with Washington, especially following his threats of military action if the regime continued to employ force against demonstrators. On the morning of his announcement, he urged Iranian citizens on Truth Social to “KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!” He further emphasized the need to document those responsible for the violence, stating, “They will pay a big price.”

The U.S. president has repeatedly warned that military options remain on the table should the situation worsen. He noted on Sunday that Iran appears to be “starting to cross” a critical line. This has prompted Trump and his national security team to consider “very strong options” in response to the Iranian crackdown. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned that the administration is receiving differing messages from Iran, suggesting potential avenues for diplomatic engagement, yet reaffirmed that Trump is prepared to act militarily if necessary.

In a separate announcement, Trump stated that he would impose 25% tariffs on countries conducting business with Iran, effective immediately. Specific details regarding this policy remain unclear, but it could significantly impact nations such as China, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Brazil, and Russia, all of which maintain economic ties with Tehran.

The president’s team, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, convened on Friday to explore various strategies, balancing diplomatic efforts with the potential for military intervention. Iran’s parliamentary speaker has issued a warning, asserting that U.S. military forces and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if Washington were to take military action to support the protesters.

According to reports, over 600 protests have erupted across all 31 provinces in Iran. The Human Rights Activists News Agency noted that of the deceased, 1,850 were identified as protesters, while 135 were linked to the government. Additionally, more than 16,700 individuals have been detained during the unrest. The scale of these protests has been challenging to assess, as Iranian state media has provided limited coverage. Videos circulating online offer only fragmented views of the demonstrations, often accompanied by the sound of gunfire.

Trump’s focus on Iran comes amidst multiple foreign policy challenges, including a recent successful U.S. military operation to arrest Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The administration has also been mobilizing troops in the Caribbean and pursuing peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas, as well as between Russia and Ukraine in Eastern Europe. Advocates for a strong stance against Iran argue that the ongoing protests present a rare opportunity to weaken the regime that has ruled since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.