US President Donald Trump has issued a stark public promise of support to anti-government demonstrators in Iran, as activists report the death toll from nationwide unrest has surged to at least 2,000 people.
A Direct Message of Support
In a post on his Truth Social platform on January 13, 2026, President Trump directly addressed Iranian citizens, urging them to continue their demonstrations. His message read: ‘Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a high price.’
He declared that he had cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the violence ends, concluding with the promise: ‘HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!’
Mounting Casualties and Covert Planning
According to activist groups, the vast majority of the dead, 1,847 individuals, are protesters. A further 135 are reported to be government-affiliated personnel. With the Iranian regime imposing a near-total internet blackout since January 8, verifying events from outside the country has become increasingly difficult.
Earlier on Tuesday, President Trump was briefed by Pentagon officials on potential options against Iran should the crackdown intensify. Two anonymous Pentagon officials told CBS News that the briefing covered a spectrum of actions, from traditional military strikes to cyber and psychological operations.
The reported military options include potential air strikes and long-range missiles. A parallel cyber campaign could aim to disrupt state command structures, communications, and government-controlled media. No final decisions have been made, with Trump's national security team convening at the White House for further discussions.
UK Condemns 'Bloody Repression'
The United Kingdom has formally condemned the Iranian regime's response to the protests. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper addressed the House of Commons, stating she had spoken to the Iranian foreign minister to convey the UK's "total abhorrence of the killings, the violence, and the repression."
Ms Cooper confirmed the Foreign Office had summoned the Iranian ambassador to the UK. She expressed fear that current reports "may underestimate the full scale of the horror" as more information slowly filters out of the communications-blackout.
The crisis has taken a grim new turn with reports that 26-year-old Erfan Soltani is scheduled to be executed tomorrow for "waging a war against God" after taking part in protests. His would be the first known execution directly linked to the current wave of demonstrations, carried out after he was reportedly denied legal representation and a fair trial.
