Trump tells Iranians to 'keep protesting, take over institutions', says 'help on its way'

While Trump didn't elaborate on whether the US would directly intervene in Iran, he said he has cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials.

Updated on: Jan 14, 2026, 24:52:16 IST

Edited by Majid Alam

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US President Donald Trump on Tuesday told Iranian protestors to "Keep protesting" and said "help is on its way."

Trump has told Iranian protestors to keep protesting. (Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg) (Bloomberg)

While Trump didn't elaborate on whether the US would directly intervene in Iran, which is grappled with one of the worst protests, he said he has cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials.

Trump also urged protestors to "take over institutions" in a clear message of backing protestors, who have been protesting against regime.

Follow the latest updates on Iran protests

"Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING — TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS," Trump said in his social media post, adding “HELP IS ON ITS WAY”.

Trump's remarks came amid heightened US actions linked to Iran and a series of White House statements indicating that multiple options remain under review.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told journalists on Monday that airstrikes are among the "many, many options" under consideration, while stressing that diplomacy remains the administration's "first option".

Iran is in the middle of a massive political unrest. About 2,000 people, including security personnel, have already been killed in protests in Iran after around two weeks of nationwide unrest, which sparked with falling currency value.

The fresh attack of the US President on the Iranian government came after Trump on Monday announced 25% import tariffs on products from any country doing business with Iran.

Trump, in a statement, said “Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This order is final and conclusive.”

Trump has also said more military action is among options he is weighing to punish Iran over the crackdown, saying earlier this month "we are locked and loaded".

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Majid Alam
Majid Alam is a Chief Content Producer working at Hindustan Times, based in New Delhi. He currently heads shifts at online desk and manages homepage apart from writing, editing and curating articles. With over six years of experience in journalism, Majid has navigated national, politics and international news. His work primarily focuses on the politics of the Hindi heartland, government policies, and South Asia. He also writes on US and Europe’s policies vis-à-vis India. Before joining Hindustan Times, Majid worked at ABP LIVE as the Chief Copy Editor and at News18, where he managed the World and Explainers sections. His articles have featured in Dialogue Earth, The Quint, BMJ, The Diplomat, and Outlook India. Majid has a keen interest in the use of data for storytelling. Majid holds a Masters in Convergent Journalism from Jamia Millia Islamia. He was awarded the Erasmus+ scholarship to study International Affairs at Sciences Po, Paris in 2020. He is also part of the OCEANS Network, an alumni network of Erasmus+ exchange scholars. He is currently serving as the National Representative (India) at the OCEANS Network. Apart from journalism, Majid has a flair for academic writing and loves to teach. He has published a book chapter: 'Bombay Cinema and Postmodernism' in the book: 'Handbook of Research on Social and Cultural Dynamics in Indian Cinema.' He was also part of the OCEANS Network delegation to Hanoi National University of Education in Vietnam in 2025. He has also given guest lecture in digital journalism at AJK MCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia.Read More

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