Trump Tells Iranians “Help Is on the Way” as U.S. Continues To Weigh Strikes

President Donald Trump urged Iranians to continue protesting on Tuesday, declaring that “help is on the way,” as the White House weighs whether Iran’s violent crackdown will trigger U.S. action.

“Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!… HELP IS ON ITS WAY,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, issuing his most direct public message yet to demonstrators facing a lethal response from Iranian security forces.

The statement immediately heightened tensions, coming while mounting reports of mass killings and looming executions persist inside Iran. Trump did not clarify what form the promised “help” would take, telling reporters they would “have to figure that out” as he awaited updated casualty figures and a briefing on the protests. “We’ll act accordingly,” he said, adding that the killing “looks like it’s significant,” though the full scope was still being assessed.

Trump has repeatedly warned that executions would cross a red line. In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, he said the United States would take “very strong action” if Iran began hanging protesters. “If they hang them, you’re going to see some things,” Trump said, referencing past U.S. military operations while stopping short of detailing any specific response. He said Washington does not object to protests themselves, but drew a sharp distinction when “they start killing thousands of people.”

Alongside the warnings, Trump announced a halt to diplomacy. He said he had canceled all meetings with Iranian officials “until the senseless killing of protesters stops,” a decision he repeated later during a speech in Detroit. 

Iran responded angrily. Tehran accused Trump of inciting violence and seeking to destabilize the country. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, wrote to the Security Council accusing the United States of threatening Iran’s sovereignty and security. “The United States and the Israeli regime bear direct and undeniable legal responsibility for the resulting loss of innocent civilian lives, particularly among the youth,” Iravani wrote.

Russia also weighed in, condemning what it described as “subversive external interference” in Iran’s internal affairs. Moscow warned that any repeat of U.S. strikes would have “disastrous consequences” for regional and international security, underscoring concerns that the crisis could spiral beyond Iran’s borders.

Behind the scenes, regional actors have urged restraint. According to U.S. and Arab officials cited in American media, Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar have privately warned Washington against launching new strikes, citing fears of wider instability. Saudi Arabia has reportedly told U.S. officials it would not allow its airspace to be used for an attack.

Israeli and Arab officials have voiced similar concerns. According to officials familiar with the discussions, Israel supports U.S. efforts aimed at regime change in Iran, but has cautioned that a large-scale American strike at this stage could backfire by potentially uniting Iranians around the government rather than accelerating its collapse.

Despite Trump’s public freeze on talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said earlier this week that communication channels remain open. Araqchi confirmed continued contact with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, saying Iran is reviewing ideas put forward by Washington.

The U.S. State Department, meanwhile, issued a strong warning for the second straight day, urging American citizens to “leave Iran now.” Officials advised those still in the country that, “if safe to do so,” they should consider departing by land through Armenia or Turkey, due to growing concern in Washington that the situation could deteriorate rapidly.

As Trump awaits updated intelligence and watches closely for signs of executions, the administration appears to be approaching a decision point. With diplomacy paused and warnings escalating, the president’s message that “help is on the way” now stands as both a signal to protesters and a warning to Tehran that the United States may be preparing its next move.