Iran Unrest Deepens as Reported Death Toll Surpasses 2,000; Trump’s Call to “Take Over Institutions” Draws Fierce Condemnation from Tehran

Nationwide protests in Iran have intensified amid a severe government crackdown, with activist groups reporting that more than 2,000 people have been killed since demonstrations began in late December 2025. The figure, cited by multiple human rights monitors, cannot be independently verified due to near-total internet shutdowns and restrictions on reporting within the country.

The unrest, initially triggered by a deepening economic crisis and the collapse of the Iranian rial, has evolved into a broad anti-government movement encompassing all 31 provinces. Protesters are calling for sweeping political change, while Iranian authorities have deployed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and labelled demonstrators as “terrorists” influenced by foreign powers.

Amid the escalating violence, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a series of public statements urging Iranian protesters to “take over your institutions” and continue resisting the government. He also announced the cancellation of all meetings with Iranian officials until the “senseless killing” stops, adding that unspecified “help is on the way.

Trump’s remarks—delivered via social media posts and public speeches—represent a significant escalation in U.S. rhetoric. He has also threatened 25% tariffs on any country conducting business with Iran, a move intended to intensify economic pressure on Tehran.

Iranian officials sharply condemned Trump’s comments, accusing the United States of inciting unrest and attempting to destabilise the country. State media broadcast pro‑government rallies and insisted that authorities maintain “total control,” while dismissing the protests as foreign‑backed sabotage.

International analysts warn that Trump’s statements, combined with the rising death toll and the possibility of U.S. military action—something the president has openly contemplated—risk further destabilising an already volatile situation.