Trump Tells Iranian Protesters ‘Help Is on the Way,’ Cancels Talks as Crackdown Intensifies
President Donald Trump issued one of his strongest public statements yet in support of anti-regime protesters in Iran as reports of a sweeping government crackdown continue to emerge, including mass arrests, executions, and rising civilian deaths.
As demonstrations against Iran’s ruling theocracy intensify, Trump announced that he has canceled all talks with Iranian officials, warned that those responsible for killing protesters will face consequences, and urged demonstrators to continue resisting the regime.
Posting Tuesday on Truth Social, Trump directly addressed Iranians taking part in the protests, encouraging them to persist and document abuses committed by government forces.
“Iranian patriots, keep protesting — take over your institutions,” Trump wrote, adding that protesters should record the names of those responsible for violence against civilians. He warned that those individuals “will pay a big price.”
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 13, 2026
Trump also said that diplomatic engagement with Tehran has been halted until the government ends its violent response to the demonstrations. “I have canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters stops,” he said, assuring demonstrators that “help is on its way.”
Later the same day, Trump repeated and expanded on his remarks during public comments in Detroit, Michigan, where he spoke after touring a Ford truck plant in nearby Dearborn. While the event was billed as an economic appearance, Trump addressed the unrest in Iran directly, emphasizing that his message was intentional and deliberate.
“To all Iranian patriots, keep protesting,” Trump said. “Take over your institutions if possible, and save the names of the killers and the abusers that are abusing you.”
He stressed that even a single death during the crackdown was unacceptable. “One death is too much,” Trump said, again warning that those responsible would face severe consequences.
"TO ALL IRANIAN PATRIOTS — keep protesting, take over your institutions if possible, and save the names of the killers and the abusers… because they'll pay a very big price," says @POTUS.
"All I say to them is, 'Help is on its way.'" pic.twitter.com/A1hX0AwE1N
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 13, 2026
Trump also referenced new tariffs and economic penalties targeting individuals and entities doing business with Iran, describing them as part of a broader effort to pressure the regime while supporting the Iranian people.
Closing his remarks, Trump called on Iranians to reclaim their country, saying Iran had once been a great nation before falling under the control of its current rulers. He urged protesters to continue pushing for change, invoking his slogan “Make Iran Great Again.”
The statements come as U.S. officials have advised Americans to leave Iran, citing deteriorating security conditions as protests continue and reports of mass detentions and executions circulate.
