Trump's Threat, Tehran's Retort, Deadly Protests: Why Iran Tensions Are Spiralling Again

Last Updated:January 14, 2026, 10:36 IST

Amid mounting unrest in Iran, Trump has issued a series of messages to both Tehran's leadership and protesters.

Deadly protests in Iran against the country's leadership have entered its second week | Image: AP

Tensions between the United States and Iran are escalating sharply amid a deadly crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests, stark warnings from President Donald Trump, and retaliatory statements from Tehran that have raised fears of a wider regional confrontation.

Iran accused the US President of encouraging political instability, stoking violence, and undermining the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security.

Meanwhile, the human rights groups said the protests in Iran has been met with brutal force. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has put the death toll at at least 2,571 people, a figure cited by The Associated Press.

Iranian state television has also acknowledged heavy casualties, with an official from the Martyrs Foundation referring to “a lot of martyrs" in the unrest.

Iran Protests Live Updates: Tehran Hits Back After US Warning; Says Trump, Netanyahu ‘Main Killers’

Trump’s Repeated Warnings

Against this backdrop, Trump has issued a series of unusually direct messages to both the Iranian leadership and protesters.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, the US president said he had cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials “until the senseless killing of protesters stops," adding, “HELP IS ON ITS WAY."

He also urged demonstrators to continue their movement and “take over your institutions," remarks that Tehran has described as open interference in its internal affairs.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said his administration was seeking verified information on the scale of the killings and would respond accordingly.

“The killing looks like it’s significant, but we don’t know yet for certain… we’ll act based on what we learn," he said, while urging Iran’s leaders to “show humanity" and warning against further bloodshed.

When asked about Iran’s threat to retaliate in the event of US strikes, Trump dismissed the warning, saying Tehran “better behave."

US Senator Lindsey Graham later suggested that Trump’s reference to “help" could include military or cyber actions, adding to speculation over Washington’s next steps.

Separately, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told closed-door meetings that the administration is also weighing non-kinetic options to support protesters, including cyber measures, according to Axios.

Tehran Responds

Tehran has strongly responded, with Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme Security Council, accusing the US and Israel of being the “main killers of the people of Iran," naming Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in response to the president’s social media post.

Iran’s defence minister warned that any aggression would be met with a “forceful" response, including strikes on US military installations in the region and on Israel.

Iran’s Exiled Prince Meets Trump Envoy

Fueling tensions further, Axios reported that White House envoy Steve Witkoff held a secret meeting over the weekend with exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi, marking what could be the first high-level contact between the Trump administration and Iranian opposition figures since the protests began about two weeks ago.

Pahlavi, the son of the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was deposed in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has positioned himself as a potential transitional leader if the current regime collapses.

As diplomatic pressure mounts, regional and global actors are scrambling to prevent further escalation.

Qatar Calls For ‘Peace’, EU Announces Sanctions

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani spoke with Larijani, reiterating Doha’s support for de-escalation and peaceful solutions, and stressing the need to maintain regional security and stability.

In Europe, the UK and the European Union have announced fresh sanctions against Iran.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said London would impose “full and further sanctions" targeting key sectors including finance, energy and transport, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said new measures would be levied against Iranian officials involved in the crackdown.

Human rights groups have warned that the situation could deteriorate further.

Amnesty has raised alarms that authorities may resort to swift trials and executions to crush dissent, citing charges of “moharebeh," or waging war against God, which can carry the death penalty.

Iran Human Rights has highlighted the case of 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, reportedly sentenced to death after his arrest in Karaj, raising fears that executions could begin within days.

Iran Faces Diplomatic Pressure

Iran is facing mounting diplomatic pressure as several European countries summon Iranian ambassadors in response to the violent crackdown on protests in Tehran and the authorities’ move to restrict internet access.

Finland was among the first to act, with Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen announcing that Helsinki had called in Iran’s ambassador after reports of internet shutdowns.

Valtonen accused the Iranian leadership of cutting off online access “to kill and oppress in silence," warning that such actions would not be tolerated. She said Finland was working with the European Union to explore steps to help restore freedoms for the Iranian people.

The Netherlands followed suit, with Foreign Minister David van Weel confirming that Iran’s ambassador in The Hague had been summoned to lodge a formal protest.

He condemned what he described as excessive force against peaceful demonstrators, widespread arbitrary arrests and the deliberate shutdown of internet services, calling for immediate restoration of connectivity across the Islamic Republic.

France also summoned the Iranian envoy, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot denouncing the repression of protesters as “intolerable, unbearable and inhumane." Germany joined the growing list as well, summoning Iran’s ambassador in Berlin to protest the violent crackdown and urging Tehran to end the use of force against its own citizens and respect their fundamental rights.

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