President Donald Trump said he has canceled all meetings with Iranian officials amid a deadly crackdown on protests, signaling a sharp shift away from diplomacy while encouraging demonstrators to continue opposing the regime.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has canceled talks with Iranian officials as protests continue across Iran, publicly encouraging demonstrators and warning that those responsible for violence against civilians would face consequences.
In a morning message posted on Truth Social, Trump addressed Iranian citizens directly, urging them to continue resisting the government. “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!” Trump wrote in a post. “Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY.”
Trump did not specify what form that assistance might take. His remarks came days after he said Iran had expressed interest in negotiating with Washington, following his warning that the United States could strike the Islamic Republic if it continued using lethal force against demonstrators. Human rights monitors have reported that more than 2,000 people have been killed during the crackdown.
The president’s latest statement marked an abrupt shift from comments earlier in the week that suggested diplomacy was still under consideration. On Sunday, Trump told reporters he believed Iran was “starting to cross” a line in its treatment of protesters and said his national security team was weighing “very strong options,” even as he acknowledged outreach efforts from Tehran.
On Monday, the administration struck a more cautious tone. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president was receiving private messages from Iran that differed from its public posture. “What you’re hearing publicly from the Iranian regime is quite different from the messages the administration is receiving privately, and I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages,” Leavitt told reporters. She added that Trump “has shown he’s unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary, and nobody knows that better than Iran.”
Also on Monday, Trump said he would impose 25 percent tariffs on countries doing business with Tehran, effective immediately, though the White House has not released details on how the measure would be implemented. Several major economies, including China, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Brazil and Russia, maintain trade ties with Iran.
Administration officials said planning discussions are ongoing. JD Vance, Marco Rubio, and senior National Security Council officials began meeting late last week to outline potential courses of action, ranging from renewed diplomatic engagement to possible military strikes.
The White House has not indicated when a final decision on next steps will be made.
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