‘Help Is on Its Way’: Trump Urges Iranians To Maintain Protest Momentum After Thousands Killed in Demonstrations

Latest Developments

• Trump Backs Iranian Protests: President Donald Trump issued a new statement of support for Iranian protestors on January 13, urging the demonstrators to “Keep protesting” and “take over your institutions!!!” Trump noted that he had “cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protestors stops. Help is on its way,” adding pointedly, “Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price.” His statement came as the regime-imposed near-total internet and communications blackout across Iran continued, having already been in effect for over 120 hours.
• U.S. Slaps New Tariffs on Countries Doing Business With Iran: Trump’s vocal support for Iranian protestors came one day after he announced that his administration would be imposing new tariffs on countries conducting business transactions with the Tehran regime. “Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25 percent on any and all business being done with the United States of America.” The tariff on imports from Iranian trading partners would be “effective immediately,” according to Trump. 
• Regime Admits 3,000 Demonstrators Killed, Other Estimates Much Higher: More details around the large-scale mass killings of civilians at the hands of Iranian regime forces have trickled out of the country amidst the communications blackout. One Iranian government official, speaking anonymously, said that he had seen an internal report suggesting some 3,000 people had been killed during the demonstrations. The figure was corroborated by an Iranian health ministry official. However, anti-regime outlet Iran International, using open-source data and interviews with Iranian civilians and officials, assessed that as many as 12,000 people had been killed during the protests.

FDD Expert Response

“After nearly half a century of rule by the ayatollahs, the lesson is unmistakable. Iran’s core problem is its regime. Supporting the Iranian people doesn’t mean imposing regime change from the outside. It means aligning American policy with the aspirations of a population that overwhelmingly rejects theocracy.” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“Donald Trump’s post suggests that he is listening to the advice of friends of the Iranian people. What is missing is a sense of urgency. Absent a direct U.S. intervention in the next 24 to 48 hours, there will be further mass killings of protesters, and the regime may regain control.” — Edmund Fitton-Brown, Senior Fellow

“President Obama drew a red line in Syria against the use of chemical weapons that he failed to enforce. If President Trump backs away from the red line he has drawn in Iran, it is the Iranian people and the credibility of the United States that will suffer.” Ahmad Sharawi, Senior Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“Mapping the Protests in Iran,” FDD Interactive Graphic

“Don’t Repeat Obama’s Mistake in Iran,” by Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh

“Tehran regime fears defections as Iran’s nationwide movement defies containment,” by Janatan Sayeh

“Iran Protests Death Toll Soars as Tehran Regime Seeks Talks with U.S.,” FDD Flash Brief