Amid intensifying crackdowns on protesters in Iran, US President Donald Trump has cancelled all scheduled meetings with Iranian officials, citing the ongoing violence against demonstrators. On Tuesday, 13 January, he directly addressed the Iranian people, pledging assistance and encouraging sustained protest.
Speaking to Iranians via his social media platform Truth Social, Trump urged, “Patriotic Iranians, continue your protests—seize your institutions. Record the names of those committing murder and oppression. They must pay a heavy price.” He added that until the arbitrary killings of protesters cease, he would maintain his ban on meetings with Iranian authorities, reaffirming, “Help is on the way.”
Meanwhile, a senior Iranian government official told Reuters that nearly 2,000 people have died in the past two weeks of protests, including members of the security forces. This marks the first time authorities have acknowledged such a high death toll since the nationwide unrest began.
The protests erupted on 28 December when merchants in Tehran took to the streets to denounce the rial’s record depreciation against the US dollar, rampant inflation, and rising living costs. Demonstrations rapidly spread to other major cities including Karaj, Isfahan, Shiraz, and Kermanshah, with students from several universities joining the movement.
Iranian authorities have accused the United States and Israel of fomenting unrest and have deployed heightened security measures. Clashes between protesters and security forces have been widespread, leading to significant casualties.
Reported Casualties and Arrests
| Source | Death Toll | Details | Number of Protests | Arrests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iranian official (Reuters) | ~2,000 | Security personnel and protesters; no breakdown given | Ongoing nationwide | Not specified |
| HRANA (Human Rights Activists News Agency) | 646 | 505 protesters, 9 children | 606 locations in 187 cities across 31 provinces | 10,721 |
The discrepancy between government and independent reports highlights the opacity surrounding the ongoing unrest. HRANA further reported that at least 10,721 people have been detained across 606 protest sites in 187 cities spanning 31 provinces. The Iranian government has not disclosed its own casualty figures.
As the crisis deepens, international attention remains focused on the unfolding human rights situation in Iran, with calls for restraint and accountability growing louder. President Trump’s direct engagement marks a rare and highly publicised foreign endorsement of the protesters’ demands.