In a sharp escalation of rhetoric that has rattled diplomatic circles, U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for Iranian anti-government demonstrators to seize control of state institutions, promising that American “help is on its way.”
The president’s directive, issued via Truth Social, marks a definitive break from the more cautious diplomatic overtures suggested by the White House only a day earlier. Trump’s message was blunt, urging “Iranian Patriots” to continue their uprising and to document the identities of security forces involved in the lethal crackdown.
“Take over your institutions!!!” Trump wrote, warning that those responsible for violence against the public would “pay a big price.” He punctuated his post with a new, localized version of his hallmark slogan: “MIGA!!!”—an acronym for “Make Iran Great Again.”
The shift comes as the streets of Tehran and other major cities descend into what rights groups describe as a “massacre.” While the Iranian government remains tight-lipped regarding casualties, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimates at least 646 people have died. Some reports, filtered through a nationwide internet blackout, suggest the actual toll could be significantly higher.
The ground reality is increasingly grim. Verified reports indicate that over 10,700 people have been detained across nearly 600 locations. Despite the scale of the arrests, the movement—triggered initially by a collapsing currency and the removal of fuel subsidies—shows no signs of retreating.
Tehran has responded by blaming “foreign interference,” specifically pointing at Washington and Israel for orchestrating what it calls “terrorist riots.” On the ground, however, the slogans have shifted from economic grievances to a direct challenge to the clerical establishment’s survival.
Trump’s latest post follows his Monday announcement of a sweeping 25% tariff on any country “doing business” with Iran. The move appears designed to choke the remaining life out of the Iranian economy by forcing major trading partners, including China and the UAE, to choose between Tehran and the American market.
For a moment on Monday, it seemed a sliver of room remained for de-escalation. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had noted the president’s “interest” in exploring private messages from Tehran. Tuesday’s firebrand post, however, confirms those meetings are off the table.
“I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters stops,” Trump declared.
What “help” looks like remains the critical, unanswered question. While the administration has not ruled out military strikes, the current focus remains on total economic isolation. As the rial continues its freefall, the “big price” promised by Trump may already be arriving for the leadership in Tehran.
