Trump Urges Iranians to Take Action Amid Unrest
In light of two weeks of violent protests in Iran, President Donald Trump has called on the Iranian people to “take over” their country’s systems. He made it clear that he would halt all future discussions with Iranian leaders until the “senseless killings” cease, adding that “help is on the way.”
Human rights organizations are sounding alarms about the increasing chaos in Iran, which has resulted in significant loss of life. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported confirming the deaths of 1,850 protesters, 135 government officials, nine unrelated civilians, and nine children in the last 17 days alone.
On Tuesday, Trump urged the Iranian populace via the Truth Social platform to take control of their institutions and to pause any negotiations with the current government until the violent crackdown on dissent concludes.
“Iranian patriots, keep protesting – take over the organization!!! Let the names of the murderers and abusers remain. They will pay a heavy price. I have canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the senseless killings of protesters stop. Help is on the way. Miga!!”
In the wake of suspending diplomatic efforts with Iran, Vice President J.D. Vance led a National Security Council meeting to outline various options for Trump.
Sources say the discussion covered three major categories of potential responses:
- Economic “Total Isolation”: Trump announced plans for a 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran, which led the Supreme National Security Council to consider completely disrupting Iranian oil shipments at sea and shutting down remaining revenue sources.
- “Starlink Integration” Plan: In response to a severe internet blackout affecting 99% of the country, the administration is collaborating with Elon Musk to deploy Starlink terminals in creative ways, similar to strategies used during the protests of 2022.
- Kinetic Military Options: The Pentagon has proposed plans for precise military strikes targeting specific Revolutionary Guard centers and drones, though there are concerns about the death toll justifying such actions.
The focus of the Trump administration appears to be shifting toward supporting the Iranian opposition instead of engaging with the existing government.
Confirming this shift, Trump’s Middle East envoy met with Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the former Shah, to discuss the growing revolutionary fervor in Iran. Pahlavi has called on Iranians to shift from mere protests to actively “occupying and holding urban centers.”
As he positions himself as a potential interim leader if the current regime collapses, the backdrop of these events is the largest anti-government demonstrations seen in years, ignited by severe economic decline and calls for change. The unrest traces back to the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, who died in custody after being assaulted by the morality police. This incident sparked widespread outrage, igniting a movement that has continued to simmer since then.
While Iranian officials try to label the protests as foreign interference, U.S.-based human rights groups report that the government’s crackdown has led to a staggering number of deaths, with around 2,000 protestors shot in just over two weeks.
Internet access has been severely restricted, intensifying fears about a deepening government crackdown. Rights organizations are voicing concerns that the violence could escalate further amid ongoing media blackouts.
To further isolate Iran, President Trump has initiated 25% tariffs on the nation’s trading partners, a move targeted at crippling Iran’s economic connections.
In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed Trump’s threats, stating that Iran is “ready for war,” and criticized the notion of U.S. intervention as an attack on sovereignty. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei responded similarly, urging Trump to manage issues in his own country, branding protestors as mere “mercenaries for foreigners.”
Despite tough rhetoric, the White House has indicated that Trump is still searching for a diplomatic resolution but remains open to military action if deemed necessary.
As protests continue, some analysts have characterized them as a “color revolution” influenced from abroad, with Iranian officials alleging connections to Israeli and U.S. agents purportedly inciting unrest to destabilize the regime.
