File photo

US President Donald Trump has urged Iranians to keep protesting, suggesting military intervention might be on the horizon. Following the killing of demonstrators, Trump signalled potential military action against Tehran by saying, "Help is on its way." The statement comes amidst reports claiming up to 2,000 Iranian protesters have been killed, while Iran admits to 600 deaths.

Trump has cancelled meetings with Iranian officials, rejecting Iran's nuclear dialogue offer. His online statements also urged protesters to document the identities of their oppressors, hinting that the US might hold them accountable. Trump’s actions, including announcing a 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran, have provoked China's threat of retaliation, complicating global trade dynamics.

European diplomats believe Iran's regime remains steadfast, suggesting only a significant US military campaign could alter their stance. Despite Trump's support, violent crackdowns continue to stifle the demonstrations, and the possibility of US intervention is still under discussion. Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs seek to pressure those supporting Iran, showcasing his broader strategy of economic and military leverage.

Looking ahead, Trump’s administration is weighing military options, which could include airstrikes. The international community remains cautious, with European countries expressing concern over escalating tensions. The White House has indicated diplomacy remains a top choice but acknowledges military avenues are on the table, reported The Guardian.

Key Takeaways

• Trump hints at possible US military intervention in Iran over protester killings.

• A 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran signals escalating economic pressure.

• Iran continues to protest amid international diplomatic manoeuvres.

Related Stories:

Trump Weighs Military Options Amid Iran Protests Escalation

Trump Slaps 25% Tariff on Nations Trading with Iran

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Guardian 2026-01-14

 

 

He needs to get a move on!

So he's telling them 'help is on the way, keep going', while he should know there is no help from the US possible.

Why does he care when he didn't care about 50,000 women and kids killed in Gaza?

Oh, I forgot who is pulling his strings, the US/Israeli billionaires.

28 minutes ago, JimCM said:

Why does he care when he didn't care about 50,000 women and kids killed in Gaza?

Oh, I forgot who is pulling his strings, the US/Israeli billionaires.

Keep on topic

27 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Keep on topic

I don't think he can help himself. He seems obsessed with Gaza and supporting Hamas. Poor dear. What will he do if the mullahs are overthrown in Iran and Hamas and Hizbollah lose their support?

So nice to see the Europeans leading the way on helping the Iranian people..............not. Once again the USA is expected to carry the torch. Mean old USA. Canada saw multiple of its citizens killed by Iran and has done nothing and said nothing to date. Australia's Albanese is all for human rights, and is as timid as a baby wallaby on the issue.

Meanwhile the Russians are trying their best to help the mullahs.

A desperate cry for help from a young Iranian man.

9 hours ago, JimCM said:

Why does he care when he didn't care about 50,000 women and kids killed in Gaza?

Oh, I forgot who is pulling his strings, the US/Israeli billionaires.

Are you ever far gone. Move to Iran.

8 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

So nice to see the Europeans leading the way on helping the Iranian people..............not. Once again the USA is expected to carry the torch. Mean old USA. Canada saw multiple of its citizens killed by Iran and has done nothing and said nothing to date. Australia's Albanese is all for human rights, and is as timid as a baby wallaby on the issue.

Meanwhile the Russians are trying their best to help the mullahs.

The US is NOT ‘expected’ to do anything. It is them yapping all the way as per usual. As horrible as that regime is, history dictates that going in there might stir a massive hornets nest. The ideal scenario is for Iranians to sort this out themselves, or for another Arab country—Saudi for instance—to get its hands dirty.

8 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

I don't think he can help himself. He seems obsessed with Gaza and supporting Hamas. Poor dear. What will he do if the mullahs are overthrown in Iran and Hamas and Hizbollah lose their support?

The Iranian people have been conditioned to hate the USA for decades im afraid they would view any assistance as interference at best …..furthermore #1 trump cannot be trusted #2 rite now he has his thugs attacking our people at home#3 don’t be fooled by the theater he wants their oil.

War, what's it good for?

1 hour ago, daveAustin said:

The US is NOT ‘expected’ to do anything. It is them yapping all the way as per usual. As horrible as that regime is, history dictates that going in there might stir a massive hornets nest. The ideal scenario is for Iranians to sort this out themselves, or for another Arab country—Saudi for instance—to get its hands dirty.

If Saudi gets involved there will be even broader conflict as the two main elements of Islam are Iran (Shia 95%) and Saudi (Sunni85-90%). Things are never simple in that area of the world.

1 hour ago, daveAustin said:

The US is NOT ‘expected’ to do anything. It is them yapping all the way as per usual. As horrible as that regime is, history dictates that going in there might stir a massive hornets nest. The ideal scenario is for Iranians to sort this out themselves, or for another Arab country—Saudi for instance—to get its hands dirty.

the U.S. is not much better when it comes to cracking down on protest. remember UCLA and Columbia.

....'Create (Fabricate)(?) A Problem'.........'Provide (Impose)(?) A Solution'...(?)

...(That's All It Takes)(?)...

...That Explains A Lot About What Is Going On In The World...

On 1/14/2026 at 3:26 AM, webfact said:

US President Donald Trump has urged Iranians to keep protesting,

I find that very irresponsible of Trump, or does he just want more deaths to legitimize giving them .'Help' ? that will never happen..

Not that difficult to cancel a non-exiting meeting. He’s awaiting instructions from Bibi.

22 hours ago, stevenl said:

So he's telling them 'help is on the way, keep going', while he should know there is no help from the US possible.

I remember when George H.W. Bush was widely condemned for encouraging Iraqis to revolt and then did nothing to help them.

2 hours ago, Tug said:

The Iranian people have been conditioned to hate the USA for decades im afraid they would view any assistance as interference at best …..furthermore #1 trump cannot be trusted #2 rite now he has his thugs attacking our people at home#3 don’t be fooled by the theater he wants their oil.

I believe that rapid assistance such as some targeting of the leadership would be well received. However, I think that it is too late for that and the USA is incapable of the art of discretion. The regime has beat off the protests and 2500 were sacrificed.

Talking out of his orifice again.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-says-iran-protester-killings-201010822.html

(Bloomberg) — President Donald Trump indicated that he might hold off on attacking Iran for now after saying he was reassured by sources “on the other side” that the government in Tehran would stop killing people involved in widespread protests.

“We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping — it’s stopped,” Trump told reporters Wednesday in the Oval Office. He said he’d been “informed by very important sources on the other side” about the decision not to proceed with the killings, and that he would be “very upset” if the crackdown continued.

And here he goes again, think he can run Iran.

In an interview with Reuters published on Wednesday night, Trump cast doubt on whether Reza Pahlavi, a son of the late shah and a prominent opposition figure, had sufficient support within the country, where he has not lived in decades.

“I don’t know whether or not his country would accept his leadership, and certainly if they would, that would be fine with me,” the president told Reuters.

11 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

Talking out of his orifice again.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-says-iran-protester-killings-201010822.html

(Bloomberg) — President Donald Trump indicated that he might hold off on attacking Iran for now after saying he was reassured by sources “on the other side” that the government in Tehran would stop killing people involved in widespread protests.

“We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping — it’s stopped,” Trump told reporters Wednesday in the Oval Office. He said he’d been “informed by very important sources on the other side” about the decision not to proceed with the killings, and that he would be “very upset” if the crackdown continued.

And here he goes again, think he can run Iran.

In an interview with Reuters published on Wednesday night, Trump cast doubt on whether Reza Pahlavi, a son of the late shah and a prominent opposition figure, had sufficient support within the country, where he has not lived in decades.

“I don’t know whether or not his country would accept his leadership, and certainly if they would, that would be fine with me,” the president told Reuters.

Fair comment.

2 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Fair comment.

For a man who react by the seat of his pants, who cares what he said today.

4 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

For a man who react by the seat of his pants, who cares what he said today.

No idea what you mean.

10 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

No idea what you mean.

I have actually tried to make it simple for you to understand. Nevermind. Limits to helping the dim.

A classic Taco' statement I'm watching you get slaughtered but I have an irrational fear of turbans🤔

44 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

In an interview with Reuters published on Wednesday night, Trump cast doubt on whether Reza Pahlavi, a son of the late shah and a prominent opposition figure, had sufficient support within the country, where he has not lived in decades.

I'll agree with him on that.

Reported that missiles guided SS Roosevelt and a number of battle ships with missiles capabilities are heading to the Persian Gulf. The attack on Iran can still happen. Also reported that the protesters are armed by a foreign country which we probably know who. Trump is waiting for Netanyahu signal to strike. Trump will engage US in another middle-east war.

The problem is that there are no significant armed groups able to fight the regime. The Pasdarans are fighting for their survival. They control the economy and don't want to lose their wealth. On top of it, they know they are hated and will likely get lynched if the regime falls.

The only hope would be a rebellion of the army, largely composed of conscripts, ordinary people. If not, I am not optimistic.

What happened to "We are not the world's policeman"?

Hmm, I can't help but wonder why Trump isn't doing the same thing for, say, Myanmar. Thousands of innocent citizens (if not tens of thousands) have been slaughtered there over the last few years, or captured and tortured, or used as slave labor for the Tatmadaw.

Would it be because Iran has huge oil reserves, but Myanmar doesn't? Call me a cynic, but I think that's exactly why Trump is willing to 'help' Iran, but at the same doesn't give two hoots about what's happening in Myanmar, which is probably worse than what's happening in Iran.