by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged Iranians to continue protesting against the Islamic Republic, declaring that “help is on the way” as reports mount of a sweeping and deadly crackdown on nationwide demonstrations.
“Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price,” Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth Social. He added that he had canceled all meetings with Iranian officials “until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS.”
Trump’s comments come amid some of the largest anti-government demonstrations Iran has seen in decades, sparked in late December by severe economic distress, the collapse of the rial, and soaring inflation. Since then, protests have spread across major cities and rural areas, drawing hundreds of thousands into the streets.
Human rights groups and opposition outlets report a brutal response by Iranian authorities. Human Rights Activists in Iran estimate that hundreds have been killed and more than 10,000 arrested. Iranian officials have acknowledged roughly 2,000 deaths, while the opposition channel Iran International has claimed the toll could be as high as 12,000, figures that have not been independently verified.
White House weighs next steps
Trump is expected to convene senior administration officials on Tuesday to discuss U.S. options toward Iran. The meeting, described by officials as “significant,” is set to examine military, cyber, diplomatic, and economic responses as the unrest intensifies.
According to reports, Vice President JD Vance and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff are among those urging the president to consider a final round of negotiations with Tehran before any military action. Other senior figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, are said to favor stronger pressure, including sanctions and a commercial blockade.
Political sources cited by The Wall Street Journal say Trump currently appears more inclined toward military options but plans to make a final decision only after reviewing all proposals presented during the meeting.
Tariff threat escalates pressure
In a further escalation, Trump announced that any country continuing to do business with Iran would face a 25 percent tariff on trade with the United States. The move targets Tehran as it struggles to contain unrest while maintaining critical trade relationships.
Iran, a member of OPEC, exported goods to 147 trading partners in 2022, according to World Bank data. Its major trading partners include China, several East Asian countries, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Germany.
Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on what they describe as “terrorists” and foreign-backed agitators, accusing the United States and Israel of stoking violence. Opposition figures reject those claims, pointing instead to widespread public anger at the clerical leadership.
As communications blackouts continue inside Iran, testimonies from victims’ families have begun to emerge through international media, painting a grim picture of live fire, mass arrests, and summary trials. Trump’s latest intervention signals that Washington is preparing to intensify pressure on Tehran as the crisis deepens.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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