The Latest Information from Iran: Trump Calls on Iranian Protesters to "Seize Government Buildings," Announces Help Is on the Way
President Donald Trump issued an extraordinary call to action to Iranian protesters on Tuesday, urging them to seize government buildings and warning that those responsible for the deadly crackdown will "pay a heavy price."
"Iranian patriots, continue to protest. Seize government buildings. Record the names of killers and torturers. They will pay a heavy price," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "I have canceled all negotiations with Iranian officials until they stop the senseless killing of protesters. Help is on the way. Make Iran Great Again."
The statement came as reports emerged suggesting the death toll from the regime's crackdown on nationwide protests could be far higher than initially reported. CBS News, citing sources inside Iran, confirmed earlier reporting by Iran International that at least 12,000 people have been killed, with the actual figure potentially reaching 20,000.
According to these reports, the majority of deaths occurred during intense crackdowns on the nights of January 8-9 (18-19 Dey in the Iranian calendar), described by witnesses as unprecedented in modern Iranian history.
"War-Like Conditions" in Iranian Cities
A physician who worked in hospitals in both Tehran and Isfahan during those nights provided harrowing testimony to IranWire about the scale of the violence.
"I've been a doctor since the 2009 Green Movement protests. I didn't see this level of catastrophe even during the Bam and Kermanshah earthquakes," the doctor said. "There was the sound of gunfire, automatic weapons, even DShK heavy machine guns. We had only seen this in movies, not in real life."
The physician described scenes of hospitals overwhelmed with casualties, with operating rooms running continuously through the night. "From midnight on Thursday, the nature of injuries changed. It was military-grade ammunition. It was as if they had been ordered that this is war—shoot everyone."
The source reported that at Isfahan's Feiz Hospital alone, at least 400 people suffered eye injuries from shotgun pellets before the internet blackout began.
International Response Intensifies
The international community has responded with mounting condemnation and concrete actions:
United Kingdom: Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced "full and additional sanctions" targeting Iran's financial, energy, transport, software, and other key sectors. The British government summoned Iran's ambassador to emphasize the severity of the situation.
Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz predicted that the Islamic Republic is in its "final days and weeks," stating that "when a regime can only maintain power through violence, it has essentially reached the end of the road."
European Union: European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced a ban on Iranian diplomats and representatives entering Parliament buildings, declaring that the EU "will not help legitimize a regime that has built its survival on torture, repression, and murder." Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that new sanctions against those responsible for the crackdown would be proposed "rapidly."
United States: Trump announced an immediate 25% tariff on all countries that continue trading with Iran. Senator Lindsey Graham called for "a broad combination of military, cyber, and psychological operations" against those perpetrating the killings.
Multiple European nations—including the Netherlands, Spain, and Finland—summoned Iranian ambassadors, while countries including Germany, Austria, Ireland, Switzerland, France, Canada, and the Netherlands issued formal condemnations.
Internet Blackout Enters Sixth Day
Iran's nationwide internet shutdown, which began on January 8, continues into its sixth day, severely limiting information flow from the country. While some landline telephone connections have been partially restored, allowing calls to be made outside Iran, the blackout has raised alarm among human rights organizations.
Amnesty International warned that authorities are attempting to "hide the true scale of gross human rights violations and international crimes taking place from the world's view."
Reports have also emerged of security forces confiscating satellite dishes and Starlink equipment in Tehran, Sanandaj, Isfahan, and other cities—an apparent effort to further isolate Iranians from outside information.
Fears of Rapid Executions
Grave concerns have emerged over reports that Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old protester from Karaj, has been sentenced to death just two days after his arrest on January 9. A relative told BBC Persian that the family was informed he would be executed on Wednesday, January 15.
The Islamic Republic has a documented history of conducting rapid executions of protesters following periods of unrest. At least 10 people were executed following the 2022 "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests.
Regional and Global Reactions
China, Iran's largest trading partner and oil buyer, pushed back against Trump's tariff threat, stating it would take "all necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests."
Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahçeli warned that instability in Iran threatens Turkey and the entire region, calling the protests "an organized provocation by intelligence agencies and imperialists."
Qatar's Prime Minister contacted Iranian officials to emphasize the importance of de-escalation.
Cultural Figures Call for Support
More than 170 Iranian artists and cultural figures issued a statement calling on the U.S. government and President Trump "to honor their promises of support for the Iranian people and stand alongside the Iranian nation."
The UN Human Rights Office has called on Iranian authorities to immediately protect protesters, end the cycle of violence, and allow for genuine dialogue.
Former MI6 Chief Alex Younger told BBC Newsnight that while the regime may survive this round of protests through brutal force, "the Islamic Republic has reached the end of the road" under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's leadership.
As international pressure mounts and the information blackout continues, the full scope of the crisis inside Iran remains difficult to verify—though witnesses emerging from the country describe scenes of unprecedented violence and a population pushed to the breaking point by economic desperation and political repression.