Washington

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) urged protesters in Iran to continue demonstrations, asserting that support would arrive soon, though he did not provide specific details.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump addressed “Iranian patriots,” encouraging them to sustain protests and seize control of institutions. He claimed to have cancelled all engagements with Iranian officials until the killing of protesters ends and warned that those responsible would face consequences. “Help is on its way,” Trump wrote.

His remarks come amid intensified messaging from Washington on the evolving situation in Iran. The White House has indicated that multiple policy options remain under consideration.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that airstrikes are among the “many options” being evaluated, while emphasising that diplomacy continues to be the administration’s preferred course of action.

These statements followed a new directive announced by Trump targeting countries maintaining commercial ties with Iran. The US President said any nation doing business with the Islamic Republic would face a 25 per cent tariff on all trade with the United States. “This order is final and conclusive,” he said.

Iran has been witnessing widespread protests since late December, drawing varied international reactions. While some governments have raised concerns over alleged foreign interference, others have accused Iranian authorities of using excessive force against demonstrators, according to Al Jazeera.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran is not seeking conflict but is “prepared for all options” following Trump’s warnings of possible military action.

Meanwhile, Iran’s exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi has appealed to Trump to act swiftly against the country’s clerical leadership. In an interview with CBS News, Pahlavi said early intervention could prevent further loss of life and bring an end to the current crisis.

Trump told reporters that Iranian leaders had contacted him to negotiate, even as he reiterated that the US was weighing its response. He warned last week that Washington would intervene if the regime resumed violent crackdowns, saying the US would strike “very hard where it hurts,” without deploying ground troops.

Reports indicate heavy casualties linked to the unrest. Around 2,000 people have been killed during the protests, The Times of Israel reported, citing Reuters and an Iranian official who blamed “terrorists” for the deaths of civilians and security personnel.

Iran has also imposed strict communication controls. The country’s top cyberspace authority announced that access to the global internet would remain restricted until security conditions improve. According to Press TV, the nationwide blackout, imposed on January 9, is ongoing.

Mohammad Amin Aqamiri, head of Iran’s National Centre for Cyberspace, said the restrictions were necessary to counter what he described as “cognitive warfare,” adding that the domestic National Information Network continues to provide essential services.

Internet monitoring group NetBlocks said more than 108 hours had passed since the shutdown began, leaving Iranians largely cut off from the outside world.

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As violence escalates, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed alarm over the situation, calling for an immediate end to the killing of peaceful protesters and condemning attempts to label demonstrators as “terrorists” to justify repression.