Donald Trump has called on Iranians to continue protesting, stating that “help is on its way” as demonstrations against the country’s Islamic government intensify and become increasingly deadly.
Trump Urges Iranians to ‘Take Over’ Institutions
The former US president used his social media platform, Truth Social, to encourage those demonstrating in Iran against the country’s ruling government. “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price,” he wrote.
He also stated, “I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY”. The post followed US media reports indicating Mr. Trump had been briefed on potential responses to the situation in Iran.
Death Toll Rises
An Iranian official has reported approximately 2,000 people have been killed in the protests, a significantly higher figure than previous estimates of around 600. US-based rights group HRANA has verified the deaths of 2,003 people, including 1,847 protesters and 135 government-affiliated individuals. Of those killed, nine were under the age of 18 and nine were non-protester civilians.
International Response
Several European nations have summoned Iran’s ambassadors to protest the government’s violent crackdown. Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz has predicted the Iranian regime is in its “final weeks,” while the European Commission announced plans to introduce new sanctions against the country.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unequivocally condemned the excessive use of force and continued restriction of freedom in Iran.
Mr. Trump also announced that countries doing business with Iran would be slapped with 25 percent tariffs by the United States “effective immediately,” though it remains unclear if these tariffs have been implemented.
Security Presence and Communication Blackout
The Iranian government has attempted to stifle communications internally and with the outside world, cutting off internet access to limit information about the protests and the government’s response. However, on Tuesday, news agency Associated Press reported that Iranians inside the country were able to make phone calls abroad for the first time in days.
Witnesses in central Tehran described a heavy security presence, burned-out government buildings, smashed ATMs, and limited pedestrian traffic. Anti-riot police, equipped with helmets, body armour, batons, shields, shotguns, and tear gas launchers, were observed. Members of the Revolutionary Guard’s Basij force, also armed, were present, along with plain-clothes security officials.
Several banks and government offices have been damaged during the unrest, and banks are struggling to process transactions without internet access. Reports indicate security personnel are searching for Starlink terminals in northern Tehran, raiding apartment buildings with satellite dishes.
Regime Resilience
Despite growing internal and global pressure, experts believe Iran’s establishment is likely to remain in power unless it experiences defections. Iran’s layered security architecture, comprised of the Revolutionary Guards and Basij paramilitary force, numbering close to one million people, makes external pressure without internal disruption difficult.
Vali Nasr, an Iranian-American academic, stated that a successful outcome for protesters requires sustained demonstrations and a breakdown within the state, including defections from security forces. Paul Salem of the Middle East Institute noted that Iran’s leaders have survived four previous major uprisings since 2009, demonstrating resilience and cohesion within the government. Alan Eyre, a former US diplomat, added that protesters must generate enough momentum to overcome the state’s entrenched advantages.
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