Iran Protests: Trump urges demonstrators to continue fight against Khamenei, raises fears of US invasion

Washington: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he has canceled a meeting with Iranian officials. Trump appealed to Iranian protesters to continue their demonstrations, saying that help is coming. However, he did not share any specific details. This has raised concerns that the US might be preparing to attack Iran. Trump warned Iran against taking action against the protesters.

What statement did Donald Trump put out?

"Iranian patriots, continue your protests, take back your institutions. Keep the names of the murderers and tyrants secret. They will pay a heavy price. I have canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until this senseless killing of protesters stops. Help is coming. Make Iran Great Again. President Donald J. Trump," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Will the US attack Iran?

Earlier, two people familiar with internal discussions at the White House, the official residence and office of the US president, said that President Trump and his national security team were considering potential actions against Iran, including cyberattacks and direct military strikes by the US or Israel. These individuals provided the information on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

Is US considering military action?

Trump told reporters on his Air Force One plane Sunday night, “The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very tough options.” 

When asked about Iran’s threats of retaliation, the US president said, “If they do that, we will hit them harder than they’ve ever been hit before.” 

Trump said his administration was in talks for a meeting with Tehran, but he warned that he (Trump) might have to act first because of the rising death toll in Iran and the government’s continued arrests of protesters.

What is the situation in Iran?

The death toll continues to rise as anti-government protests rages across multiple cities in Iran. An Iranian official has claimed that more than 2,000 people, including security personnel, have died in the protests that have been going on for a week. 

Who has Iran blamed for the violence?  

Talking to the media, an Iranian official blamed terrorists for the killings, saying that terrorists killed both protesters and security forces. However, the official who made the claim refused to reveal his identity.

Did Khamenei give the order to shoot protesters?

This is the first major anti-government movement in Iran since 1979. According to Iranian media, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei himself authorized the use of weapons against the protesters. The report stated that the killings of protesters are happening on Khamenei's orders. Security forces were given permission to use weapons after a meeting of all three branches of the government. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij militia are killing people. More than 10,000 people have been arrested and imprisoned so far.