Trump Urges Iranians to Protest as Tensions Rise

Washington: (Web Desk)- US President Donald Trump on Tuesday openly encouraged Iranians to continue nationwide protests, claiming that assistance was forthcoming, though he offered no specifics. In a post on Truth Social, Trump urged demonstrators to “take over your institutions,” while announcing he had suspended all engagements with Iranian officials until what he described as the “senseless killing” of protesters comes to an end.
Iran is currently facing its largest wave of demonstrations in several years, triggered by severe economic hardship and worsening living conditions. The unrest has intensified amid growing international pressure following Israeli and US strikes last year. An Iranian official told Reuters that what he termed “terrorist elements” were responsible for deaths among both protesters and security forces, without providing casualty details.

Further escalating tensions, Trump announced a 25% tariff on imports from any country trading with Iran, a major oil exporter already under heavy US sanctions. He also warned that further military action remains an option, stating earlier this month that the US is “locked and loaded.” While Tehran has yet to respond officially, China swiftly criticised the move. Iran exports most of its oil to China, with Turkey, Iraq, the UAE and India among its key trade partners.

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Russia condemned what it called “subversive external interference” in Iran’s internal affairs, warning that threats of renewed military action were unacceptable and could destabilise the wider Middle East. Despite the scale of unrest, there are no visible cracks within Iran’s security establishment. However, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he believes the Iranian government is nearing collapse, a claim firmly rejected by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who accused Berlin of hypocrisy and double standards.