U.S. President Donald Trump gestures, before boarding Air Force One en route to Detroit, Michigan, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S. on January 13, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday (January 13, 2026) doubled down on his threat of intervention in protest-hit Iran, telling protesters that “help is on its way”, a day after he claimed that Iranian officials had reached out to Washington for talks amid ongoing protests and a security crackdown in the Islamic Republic.
“Iranian patriots, keep protesting — take over your institutions. Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price,” Mr. Trump wrote in a social media post. “I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters stops. Help is on the way,” he added, without explaining what kind of “help” he is offering.
Iran protest LIVE
On Monday (January 12, 2026), Mr. Trump said in another social media post that he would impose 25% tariff on Iran’s trading partners. “Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive,” Mr. Trump said.
Iran’s main trading partners are China, Turkey, the UAE and Iraq. Turkey and the UAE are close American allies.
Mr. Trump, who joined Israel in bombing Iran in June 2025 during the 12-day war, had earlier threatened to attack Iran again if protesters were killed. “If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” Mr. Trump said on January 2.
Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, had responded to Mr. Trump, saying “U.S. interference in this internal matter would mean destabilizing the entire region and destroying America’s interests”.
What began as a protest by traders over falling currency and hyperinflation has spread into a nationwide protest in Iran. The authorities have imposed an internet shutdown, and cracked down on what they call “rioters and terrorists” on Saturday. State media have reported that dozens of security personnel were killed by “rioters”, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned of a stern response. According to Norway-based Iran Human Rights, at least 648 people were killed during the protests. The White House said on Monday that Mr. Trump is pursuing diplomacy as a first resort but remains “unafraid” of deploying military force.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in an interview with Al Jazeera, said the government was in talks with the protesters and the internet was shut down only after “we confronted terrorist operations and realised orders were coming from outside the country”. In response to Mr. Trump’s threats, he said: “We are prepared for any eventuality and we hope Washington will choose a wise option. It doesn’t matter which option they choose, we are ready for it.”
Meanwhile, the European Parliament has banned Iranian diplomats and other representatives as EU leaders condemned Iran’s security crackdown.
“Those who defy the dangers in the streets and the political prisoners who continue to be held need more than just solidarity,” EU Parliament speaker Roberta Metsola wrote to the members of parliament. “The ban applies to the Parliament’s premises in Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg.” The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has signaled expanded sanctions against Iran.
While responding to the EU Parliament’s decision, Mr. Araghchi said: “More than two years of Genocide in Gaza that has claimed the lives of 70,000 Palestinians has not led the European Parliament to take any real action against Israel. Even as Netanyahu is wanted for war crimes by the ICC, he freely flies over European airspace. In contrast, it takes only a few days of violent riots in Iran for the European Parliament to physically ban our diplomats.”
“People are not stupid. They see what is unfolding with their own eyes. Iran does not seek enmity with the EU, but will reciprocate any restriction,” he added in a social media post.
Published – January 13, 2026 09:29 pm IST
