Name: At Least 2,000 Reported Killed in Iran Protests, Trump Says 'Help Is on Its Way'
Uploaded: 2026-01-14T07:37:39.000Z
Description: Trump encouraged “Iranian patriots” to continue protesting and to take over Iranian institutions.

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The death toll from nationwide protests in Iran spiked Tuesday to at least 2,000 people killed, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said, even as Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days after authorities severed communications during a crackdown.

The activist group said 1,847 of the dead over more than two weeks of protests were protesters and 135 were government-affiliated. Another nine children were killed, and nine civilians who were not taking part in the protests were also killed. It said over 16,700 people had been detained.

An Iranian official, who declined to be named, also told Reuters on Tuesday that about 2,000 people, including security personnel, have been killed in the protests.

The toll may put increased pressure on President Donald Trump to act after he warned Iran he might intervene militarily to protect peaceful demonstrators. In a <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115888317758045915">post</a> on Truth Social, Trump encouraged “Iranian patriots” to continue protesting and to take over Iranian institutions. He also said he had canceled all meetings with Iranian officials “until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS.” He then added, “HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!,” meaning “Make Iran Great Again.”

Iran, through the country’s parliamentary speaker, warned Sunday that the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if Washington uses force to protect demonstrators.

The number of dead dwarves those in any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades, and recalls the chaos surrounding the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution. These demonstrations, which began in anger over Iran's ailing economy, soon targeted the theocracy, particularly 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
<h2>Iranians Reach Out, But World Can't Reach In</h2>
Several people in Tehran were able to call The Associated Press on Tuesday morning and speak to a journalist there. The AP bureau in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was unable to call those numbers back. The witnesses said text messaging was still down and that internet users in Iran could connect to government-approved websites locally, but nothing abroad.

Anti-riot police officers, wearing helmets and body armor, carried batons, shields, shotguns, and tear gas launchers, according to the witnesses. Police stood watch at major intersections. Nearby, the witnesses saw members of the Revolutionary Guard's all-volunteer Basij force, who similarly carried firearms and batons. Security officials in plainclothes were visible in public spaces as well.

Several banks and government offices were burned during the unrest, they said. Banks struggled to complete transactions without the internet, the witnesses added.

However, shops were open, though there was little foot traffic in the capital. Tehran's Grand Bazaar, where the demonstrations began Dec. 28, was to open Tuesday. However, a witness described speaking to multiple shopkeepers who said the security forces ordered them to reopen no matter what. Iranian state media had not acknowledged that order.

The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.

It also appeared that security service personnel were searching for Starlink terminals as people in northern Tehran reported authorities raiding apartment buildings with satellite dishes. While satellite television dishes are illegal, many in the capital have them in their homes, and officials have broadly given up on enforcing the law in recent years.

On the streets, people also could be seen challenging plainclothes security officials, who were stopping passersby at random.

State television also read a statement about mortuary and morgue services being free—a signal that some likely charged high fees for the release of bodies amid the crackdown.

Khamenei, in a statement carried by state TV, praised the tens of thousands who took part in pro-government demonstrations nationwide on Monday.

State TV on Monday aired chants from the crowd, which appeared in the tens of thousands, of “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” Others cried out, “Death to the enemies of God!” Iran’s attorney general has warned that anyone taking part in protests will be considered an “enemy of God,” a death penalty charge.
<h2>Trump Imposes Tariffs on Iran Trading Partners</h2>
Trump announced Monday that countries doing business with Iran will face 25 percent tariffs from the United States. Trump announced the tariffs in a social media posting, saying they would be “effective immediately.”

Brazil, China, Russia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates are among the economies that do business with Tehran.

<em>The Associated Press contributed to this report.</em>
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