Trump Urges Iranians to Take Action Amid Protests
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump encouraged Iranians to “take over” their institutions and announced he would halt talks with the Iranian regime until the violence against protesters ceases.
Trump shared his views on social media, stating that those responsible for the deaths of anti-regime protesters “will pay a heavy price.” Interestingly, Iran had claimed prior to this that there were ongoing communications with U.S. officials during the unrest.
In a post on Truth Social, he urged: “Iranian patriots, keep protesting. Take over your organization! Save the names of murderers and abusers. They will pay a heavy price.” Additionally, he stated, “We have canceled all talks with Iranian officials until the senseless killings of protesters stop. Assistance is on the way.”
According to reports, Iranian authorities have killed at least 646 protesters since the upheaval began, with estimates suggesting that the death toll could reach 2,000.
The White House acknowledged on Monday that President Trump is contemplating military action against Iran in response to the crackdown on protesters.
White House press secretary Caroline Levitt indicated that while diplomacy remains the priority, the president has shown he might resort to military measures if necessary. “He certainly doesn’t want to see people killed on the streets of Tehran, and unfortunately, that’s what we’re seeing now,” she added.
Iranian forces are reportedly using lethal force against protesters and have cut off public internet access to limit the spread of information and visuals globally.
This situation marks the most significant unrest in Iran since nationwide protests erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, an event that sparked widespread outrage against the morality police.
Interestingly, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz voiced a strong prediction about the future of Khamenei’s government, suggesting it could be nearing its end. “When a regime can only maintain power through violence, that regime is effectively over. The people are now uprising against this regime,” he remarked, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
