Trump has urged Iranian leadership that if the Iranian regime carries out its plans to hang anti-government protesters, the United States “is prepared to take very strong action.” During a Tuesday interview with CBS in Dearborn, Mich., the President underscored his administration’s determination, saying his ultimate goal in the region is straightforward: “The end game is to win.”
The warning comes as human rights groups say Iran is headed for the first round of executions associated with the recent wave of turmoil. Reports say at least one young protester, 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, will be hanged by Wednesday, January 14, 2026. "Help is on its Way." On his social media platform, Truth Social, the President encouraged the Iranian people to "KEEP PROTESTING," stating that "HELP IS ON ITS WAY."
He also announced a cessation of all meetings with Iranian officials until the “senseless killing” ceases. Asked what kind of “help” he would provide, Trump evoked military and economic options. He cited past military victories such as the 2020 strike on Qassem Soleimani and targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in the past year as proof of his readiness to use force. “When they start killing thousands, and now you’re telling me about hanging we’re going to see how that works out for them. It’s not going to work out good,” Trump said.
The rising death toll and global outrage
The protests, which started in late December 2025 over declining growth and skyrocketing prices in the country, have morphed into a nationwide revolt against the clerical leadership. The Iranian government has gone virtually internet-deprived, but sources estimate the death toll has soared, with some estimating more than 12,000 to 20,000 dead.
The Trump administration is already moving to further isolate the regime with a 25 percent tariff on any country that still deals with Iran. With the U.S. State Department urging all American citizens to leave immediately, the world will also examine whether Tehran will blink in the face of the President's latest “red line.”
