President Donald Trump issued a forceful message Tuesday aimed directly at the Iranian people, urging them to continue protesting as the country’s theocratic rulers intensify a violent crackdown that has reportedly left thousands dead. In a Truth Social post, Trump vowed that “HELP IS ON ITS WAY,” encouraging what he called “Iranian Patriots” to keep pushing back against the regime.
The president’s comments come as Iran remains under a sweeping communications blackout. Authorities have shut down phone and internet access nationwide in an effort to choke off coordination among protesters and prevent images of the unrest from reaching the outside world. Despite that effort, harrowing accounts have continued to surface.
According to a report Tuesday morning by New York Times, Iran is now facing what one doctor described as a “mass-casualty situation,” with hospitals overwhelmed by protesters suffering from gunshot wounds and skull fractures.
Even with the blackout in place, photos and videos have emerged showing grieving families gathered in rooms lined with rows of body bags. Two Iranian officials told the Times that the death toll has already climbed to roughly 3,000, underscoring the scale of the regime’s response to the demonstrations.
Trump has repeatedly warned Iran’s leaders against continuing to kill protesters and has openly raised the possibility of military action if the violence does not stop. The issue has also exposed divisions within Washington over how to respond.
Reports indicate that Vice President JD Vance has urged the president to keep diplomatic channels open, while other figures in Trump’s orbit have pushed for a far more aggressive approach.
Among those calling for tougher action is Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has advocated military strikes and even suggested targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Those competing views reflect the high stakes of a rapidly deteriorating situation in the Middle East.
Trump’s Truth Social post made clear where he currently stands. Addressing protesters directly, he told them to “KEEP PROTESTING” and “TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS,” urging them to document the names of those responsible for killings and abuse. Trump said those individuals “will pay a big price,” signaling that accountability will not be forgotten.
The president also announced that he has canceled all meetings with Iranian officials, saying talks will not resume until the “senseless killing of protesters STOPS.” That move reinforces his message that there will be no business as usual with Tehran while bloodshed continues in the streets.
Trump ended the post with a familiar slogan adapted for the moment, declaring “HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!” — a reference to “Make Iran Great Again,” a phrase he has used previously when speaking about the country’s future beyond the current regime.
The full post left little ambiguity about Trump’s intent: to embolden protesters, isolate Iran’s rulers, and signal that the United States is watching closely as events unfold. As the death toll mounts and the regime tightens its grip, Trump’s message adds to the growing international pressure on Tehran at a moment when its authority appears increasingly under strain.
[READ MORE: Trump Warns Exxon Could Be Frozen Out of Venezuela Oil Plans After CEO Pushback]
