Trump calls on Iranians to keep protesting while Iran tightens its crackdown

As Iran's clerical authority stepped up its assault on the nation's biggest protests in years, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iranians to keep protesting on Tuesday, saying "help is on its way." Iran quickly charged Trump with inciting violence and promoting instability.

"Iranian nationalists, continue your protests and seize control of your institutions! On his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, "HELP IS ON ITS WAY," although he did not specify what kind of help he meant.

Trump declared that unless the "senseless killing" of demonstrators stops, he has canceled any meetings with Iranian authorities. In a subsequent speech, he called for Iranians to keep in mind the names of individuals who had committed violations, threatening to "pay a very big price."

Approximately 2,000 people have died since the protests started more than two weeks ago, according to an Iranian official, the first time the government has released a total death toll.

1,850 demonstrators were among the 2,003 verified dead, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). At least 16,784 people have been held, according to the group, a significant increase over previous numbers.

Trump told reporters that the people will "have to figure that out" when asked what he meant when he said that "help is on its way." In reaction to Iran's crackdown, he has previously stated that military force is one of the possibilities being evaluated.

After arriving back in the Washington region from Detroit, Trump declared, "The killing looks significant, but we don't yet know for certain." "We'll act accordingly," he continued, adding that he anticipated more thorough reports later on Tuesday.

Additionally, the U.S. State Department advised Americans to leave Iran right away, even if it meant going overland via Turkey or Armenia.

Iran Accuses U.S., Israel

Iranian officials have frequently charged that Israel and the United States are inciting the uprising.

Iran's U.N. ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, responded to Trump's remarks by accusing the American president of encouraging violence, endangering Iran's sovereignty, and trying to overthrow its government.