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Trump on Iran protests
Former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged Iranians to "KEEP PROTESTING" and to "TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS," saying "HELP IS ON ITS WAY."
“President Trump on Jan. 14 announced he was cutting off talks with Iranian officials amid a brutal nationwide crackdown on protests, tweeting that “help is on its way” and urging Iranians to “KEEP PROTESTING — TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS.””
He said he had canceled meetings with Iranian officials until the "senseless killing of protesters" stops and announced a proposed 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran.
He also warned that military options remain under consideration.
Multiple outlets recorded these messages and described mixed signals from the administration.
Republic World reported his Truth Social post and the tariff plan, while WION and Afghanistan International quoted his calls to protesters and the pledge of help.
Newsweek noted his public backing at demonstrations and highlighted concerns about which groups appeared at protests.
These statements intensified international attention as governments, rights groups and media try to verify fast-changing events inside Iran amid communication blackouts.
U.S. response options
U.S. officials and media report the White House is weighing a range of responses that span diplomacy, new sanctions and military options, with National Security Council meetings and senior aides preparing options 'from diplomacy to strikes'.
Some coverage uses language suggesting an inclination toward rapid, low-casualty operations.
Reporting from ABC News and The Jerusalem Post highlights diplomatic channels and sanctions as viable tools, while outlets such as El Mundo and the Washington Examiner emphasize the inclusion of strikes, cyberattacks or other direct military measures in the options under review.
Journalists also described internal debate and logistical hurdles, including the lack of an immediately positioned carrier near Iran, as reported by El Mundo.
Disputed casualty and detention counts
Casualty and detention figures reported in the coverage differ sharply and are often qualified because of the communication blackout and restricted access.
“Independent rights group Hrana reports at least 646 dead (512 protesters, 133 security personnel and a public prosecutor).”
Rights groups and monitors report a wide range, with Al Jazeera Net and Inbox.lv citing HRANA and Iran Human Rights figures around the 640-650 range by early Jan 12-13.
RNZ, Belaaz and Republic World relay larger, organization-based counts, and Reuters-cited unnamed officials place deaths near 2,000.
Other outlets report still higher or contested figures, with AL-Monitor and CBS reporting lines cited for a possible 12,000+ toll and Haaretz quoting The New York Times sources saying about 3,000 dead.
Many articles explicitly say these numbers are difficult to verify independently because of internet shutdowns and government restrictions.
International responses to Iran unrest
International reactions and expert commentary range from calls for condemnation and diplomatic protests to warnings against outside interference.
Several Western governments, including the UK, France, Germany and Italy, summoned Iranian ambassadors as formal protests, and France pulled nonessential embassy staff while Israel and some U.S. political figures expressed explicit support for the demonstrators.
Opinion outlets such as EL PAÍS and analysts like Vali Nasr warned that outside intervention could backfire by strengthening Tehran's narrative of foreign interference and provoking harsher repression, while other coverage framed Trump's rhetoric as part of a broader U.S. strategy of economic pressure and limited military options.
Media coverage of repression
On-the-ground reports emphasize severe repression, internet shutdowns, detention campaigns and medical evidence of targeted violence, though detail levels vary by outlet.
“Protests have entered a third week amid worsening living conditions, a collapsing currency and shrinking purchasing power; many demonstrations carry anti‑authority slogans and are occurring under a near‑total internet blackout.”
Al Jazeera Net, NBC News and Belaaz describe near-total internet blackouts that hampered independent verification and note large numbers of arrests and damaged public infrastructure.
Haaretz and The Guardian report accounts of security forces deliberately shooting protesters in the head and eyes, causing severe eye injuries.
Other outlets carry Iranian officials' claims that "terrorists" or foreign actors are to blame for many deaths, underscoring how domestic and international narratives diverge amid restricted access to independent confirmation.