Trump supports Iran protests with promises and new sanctions
In a notable escalation of the US stance toward the events unfolding in Tehran, US President Donald Trump the Iranian people directly and concisely, asserting that "help is on its way" and urging them to continue protesting and seizing control of state institutions. These remarks come as Iran a wave of widespread protests met with brutal repression by the authorities, resulting in thousands of casualties according to estimates by international human rights organizations.
The context of historical conflict and maximum pressure
Trump's recent statements cannot be separated from the historical context of strained US-Iranian relations since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Successive US administrations, particularly the Trump administration, have consistently pursued a policy of "maximum pressure" aimed at economically strangling the regime and isolating it politically to force it to change its behavior or submit to international demands. Observers believe that Trump's explicit call for regime change and his pledge of assistance represent a qualitative shift from mere economic sanctions to direct moral and political support for the popular movement in the Iranian street.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, addressing the protesters: "Iranian patriots, keep protesting, take control of your institutions. I have canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters stops." The US president did not limit himself to verbal support; he also hinted at military options. The White House confirmed that the possibility of airstrikes to end the crackdown remained on the table, despite emphasizing the priority of diplomatic solutions.
Economic sanctions and international repercussions
In a move aimed at further tightening the economic noose around Tehran, Trump announced immediate tariffs of 25% on all of Iran's trading partners. This step will further isolate Iran's already struggling economy and could have regional and international repercussions, impacting energy markets and global trade, as countries dealing with Iran will be forced to choose between the US market and maintaining their relations with Tehran.
Alarming figures and information warfare
On the humanitarian front, the Norway-based organization Iran Human Rights documenting the deaths of 734 people during the protests, including nine minors. The organization's director, Mahmoud Amiri, noted that these figures are based on information from less than half of the country's provinces, suggesting that the actual death toll is likely in the thousands, especially given the arrest of approximately 10,000 people.
Iran is facing a crippling digital isolation, as authorities continue to block the internet for the sixth consecutive day in an attempt to prevent the documentation of abuses and communication among protesters. Internet shutdowns are a common tactic used by authoritarian regimes to control the flow of information and conceal the extent of repression from the international community. Although international connectivity has been partially restored, the quality remains extremely poor, hindering the transmission of a complete picture of events on the ground.
In light of these developments, Amnesty International warned of growing concerns that Iranian authorities are resorting to summary trials and arbitrary executions as a tool to intimidate the opposition and crush protests, which could drag the country into further violence and instability in the coming period.
