Trump Calls on Protesters, Says Help Is Coming
US President Donald Trump has urged Iranians to continue protesting against their government. His comments came as Iran faces its largest wave of demonstrations in years. The protests are driven by worsening economic conditions and public anger.
Trump made the statement on Tuesday through his Truth Social platform. He directly addressed Iranian protesters in capital letters. “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!” he wrote. He added that “help is on its way,” without giving any specific details.
Trump also said he had canceled all meetings with Iranian officials. He stated this decision would remain until the killing of protesters stopped. His remarks added to already high tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The protests represent the most serious internal challenge to Iran’s leadership in at least three years. They have erupted amid rising inflation, unemployment, and shortages. Demonstrations have spread across several cities despite a heavy security presence.
Economic Pressure and Threats of Further Action
The unrest comes at a time of growing international pressure on Iran. The pressure has increased since Israeli and US strikes last year. Washington has intensified its response in recent days.
On Monday evening, Trump announced new economic measures. He imposed 25 percent import tariffs on products from any country doing business with Iran. Iran is a major oil exporter, and the move could affect several global markets.
Trump has also warned of possible military action. Earlier this month, he said the United States was “locked and loaded.” He indicated that further strikes remain an option if the Iranian government continues its crackdown.
Iran has not publicly responded to the tariff announcement. However, China quickly criticized the move. Iran exports much of its oil to China. Turkey, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and India are also major trading partners.
An Iranian official, speaking to Reuters, blamed what he called terrorists for the deaths. He said both protesters and security personnel had been killed. The official did not provide figures or a breakdown of casualties.
Human rights groups say the death toll could be much higher. Independent verification remains difficult due to restrictions on media and internet access.
Global Reactions Highlight Rising Uncertainty
Russia reacted strongly to Trump’s statements. Moscow condemned what it described as “subversive external interference” in Iran’s internal affairs. The Russian Foreign Ministry said US threats of military strikes were “categorically unacceptable.”
In a statement, Russia warned of severe consequences. It said any attempt to use unrest as a pretext for aggression would destabilize the Middle East and global security.
Despite the protests, analysts say Iran’s security apparatus remains intact. There are no visible signs of fractures within the ruling elite. The system established after the 1979 Revolution continues to hold power.
However, some Western leaders believe change may be coming. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he believes the Iranian government is nearing collapse. He said the regime may be in its “final days and weeks.”
Merz added that a government relying solely on violence loses legitimacy. He did not explain whether his view was based on intelligence assessments.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi dismissed Merz’s comments. He accused Germany of double standards. He said Berlin had lost credibility through its statements.
As protests continue, uncertainty remains high. Regional stability is at risk. Global leaders are closely watching Iran’s next move.
