U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Iranians to continue nationwide protests, signaling a potential escalation in Washington’s response to Iran’s ongoing crackdown as international pressure intensifies.
His remarks came as Iranian authorities acknowledged a sharply higher death toll from weeks of unrest driven by economic hardship and broader opposition to clerical rule.
The protests, among the largest in years, have persisted despite mass arrests, communication shutdowns, and warnings of severe punishment for demonstrators.
Trump’s statements marked his clearest indication yet that the United States may move beyond economic measures.
Trump wrote on Truth Social, “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!... HELP IS ON ITS WAY,” and said he had canceled meetings with Iranian officials until the killing of protesters stopped.
He announced a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran, effective immediately, expanding the scope of U.S. economic pressure.
The measure raised questions about its application and potential overlap with existing U.S. tariffs, particularly for countries already facing high import duties.
China, Iran’s largest oil customer, criticized the move and warned it would take steps to protect its interests, underscoring the risk of renewed trade tensions.
Britain imposed sectoral sanctions on Iran, while France, Germany, and Italy summoned Iranian ambassadors in protest.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he believed Iran’s leadership was nearing collapse, citing its reliance on violence to maintain control.
Iranian officials said around 2,000 people have been killed in the unrest, attributing the deaths to what they described as terrorists and foreign interference.
Reporting restrictions and internet shutdowns have made independent verification difficult, though rights groups have cited similar figures.
Iran has eased some restrictions by allowing international phone calls, but broader internet limits remain in place.
Trump’s national security team is reviewing options that include airstrikes, though the White House said diplomacy remains the preferred course.
Russia condemned what it called external interference and warned that new military action would have severe consequences.
Despite mounting pressure, there are no public signs of fractures within Iran’s security elite, leaving the trajectory of the crisis uncertain.