Listen to the article
President Donald Trump is consulting with his national security team to determine the next steps with Iran as widespread protests continue across the country. Trump expressed concern about the significant number of Iranians killed and arrested during more than two weeks of unrest, though he noted he has heard “five different sets of numbers” regarding the death toll.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, which relies on a network of activists inside Iran, approximately 16,700 people have been arrested and more than 2,500 killed since protests began on December 28, with protesters comprising the vast majority of casualties.
“The message is they’ve got to show humanity,” Trump said of the Iranian government. “They’ve got a big problem. And I hope they’re not going to be killing people.”
The president made a notable shift in his stance toward Iran, announcing he was cutting off potential talks with Iranian officials amid the crackdown. Speaking directly to Iranian citizens, Trump declared that “help is on its way,” though he did not elaborate on what form this assistance might take.
“Iranian Patriots, keep protesting and take over your institutions if you can,” Trump said during a speech at an auto factory in Michigan. “Save the names of the killers and abusers that are abusing you. You are being very badly abused.”
Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, quickly denounced Trump’s comments in a letter to U.N. officials, describing them as “interventionist rhetoric” that “explicitly encourages political destabilization, incites and invites violence and threatens the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The Iranian state media has been broadcasting what they claim are confessions from protesters, with at least 97 such videos aired since the demonstrations began. While Iran alleges these confessions prove foreign involvement in the unrest, activists maintain they are coerced, a long-standing practice of Iran’s state television.
When pressed by reporters about the nature of American assistance to Iranian protesters, Trump was evasive, saying, “You’re going to have to figure that one out.”
The U.S. president has repeatedly threatened military action if Iran uses deadly force against demonstrators, stating on Sunday that Iran is “starting to cross” that line. On Monday, Trump announced immediate 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Tehran, though the White House has yet to provide details on this measure. Major economies with commercial ties to Iran include China, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Brazil, and Russia.
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and key National Security Council officials have been meeting since Friday to develop response options ranging from diplomatic approaches to military strikes.
“We don’t want to see people killed and we want to see a little bit of freedom for these people,” Trump explained. “These people have been living in hell for a long time.”
Iran has not taken these threats lightly. The country’s parliamentary speaker warned that U.S. military forces and Israel would be considered “legitimate targets” if Washington intervenes militarily to protect demonstrators. Trump dismissed these threats, referencing previous Iranian warnings before U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June: “Iran said that the last time I blew them up. They better behave.”
The Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that more than 600 protests have occurred across all 31 Iranian provinces. Assessing the full scope of these demonstrations has proven difficult, as Iranian state media provides minimal coverage, and online videos offer only brief glimpses of the unrest.
Trump’s focus on Iran comes amid several other foreign policy challenges. The administration recently conducted a successful operation to remove Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro from power and continues to maintain an unusually large military presence in the Caribbean. Additionally, Trump is working to advance Israeli-Hamas peace negotiations in Gaza and broker an agreement to end the nearly four-year war between Russia and Ukraine.
Advocates for strong action against Iran view the current moment as an opportunity to weaken the theocratic government that has ruled since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The ongoing demonstrations, initially triggered by the collapse of Iran’s currency, have evolved into the largest challenge to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s repressive rule in years.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
11 Comments
It’s alarming to hear reports of such a high death toll among the protesters. The Iranian authorities need to de-escalate the situation and allow for open dialogue to address the underlying grievances. Violent crackdowns will only further inflame tensions.
The reports of mass arrests and deaths are deeply concerning. While the Iranian government has legitimate security concerns, the use of lethal force against peaceful protesters is unacceptable. I hope a diplomatic solution can be found to address the underlying issues.
The reports of mass arrests and deaths are deeply concerning. While the Iranian government may have legitimate security concerns, the use of violence against peaceful protesters is unacceptable. I hope the international community can work together to encourage a peaceful resolution that addresses the underlying issues.
This is a complex geopolitical issue with no easy solutions. However, the loss of life is a tragedy that cannot be ignored. I hope the Iranian government will heed calls for restraint and engage in meaningful dialogue with the protesters to find a peaceful resolution.
This is a concerning situation. The Iranian government must show restraint and respect the rights of its citizens to peacefully protest. I hope the international community can find ways to support the Iranian people during this difficult time.
This is a delicate and rapidly evolving situation. I hope the global community can work together to encourage Iran to show restraint and engage in constructive dialogue with the protesters. The Iranian people deserve to have their voices heard.
The reports of a rising death toll are truly heartbreaking. While the Iranian government may have legitimate security concerns, the use of lethal force against civilians exercising their right to protest is unacceptable. I hope the international community can find ways to support the Iranian people during this difficult time.
As an observer, I’m troubled by the apparent heavy-handed response from Iranian authorities. Cracking down on dissent with violence is never the answer. I hope the international community can exert pressure to de-escalate the situation and protect the rights of Iranian citizens.
While I understand the complexities involved, the loss of life is truly tragic. The Iranian government should heed President Trump’s call to show humanity and avoid further bloodshed. The wellbeing of the Iranian people should be the top priority.
I agree, the priority must be finding a peaceful resolution that respects the rights of Iranian citizens. Escalating violence will only breed more unrest.
This is a complex and rapidly evolving situation. I appreciate President Trump’s call for the Iranian government to show humanity, as the loss of life is truly tragic. I hope all parties can work towards a peaceful resolution that respects the rights of the Iranian people.