The United States President Donald Trump has urged Iranian protesters to “attack institutions” and promised “help is on the way” amid ongoing protests and violence in Iran marking a sharp escalation in rhetoric toward Tehran.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump urged demonstrators to continue protesting and to “take over your institutions,” adding that “help is on its way.” He did not specify what form that assistance would take.
Trump also announced he was canceling meetings with Iranian officials, citing the government’s crackdown on protests.
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The comments have drawn strong criticism from Iranian officials, who described them as blatant foreign interference in Iran’s internal affairs.
Analysts note that Trump’s remarks go beyond previous U.S. statements supporting protesters’ rights, instead signaling open encouragement of regime change.
The protests in Iran, driven largely by economic hardship and inflation, have spread across multiple cities and have been met with security crackdowns, resulting in several reported deaths and numerous arrests.
Meanwhile, the Russian foreing ministry said president Vladimir Putin has condemned the situation, calling it “subversive external interference” in Iran’s internal politics.
Moscow said “Foreign forces hostile to Iran are trying to destroy the Iranian state, using the methods of color revolutions”, adding that “Russia strongly condemns the subversive foreign interference in Iran’s internal political processes.
Russia recommends that Russian compatriots in Iran take reasonable precautionary measures.
It also said the threats from Washington to launch new military strikes on the territory of the Islamic Republic are categorically unacceptable.
“Those who plan to use externally inspired riots as a pretext for repeating the aggression against Iran committed in June 2025 should be aware of the harmful consequences of such actions for the situation in the Middle East and global international security,” said the Russian foreign ministry.
It added that foreign forces hostile to Iran are trying to destroy the Iranian state, using the methods of color revolutions. The dynamics of the internal political situation in Iran and the decline of artificially instigated protests allow us to expect a stabilization of the situation.”
In the meantime, Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has discussed regional and international developments in a phone call with his counterpart in the United Arab Emirates.
A statement issued by Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Araghchi addressed the recent unrest in Iran, describing it as the result of “incitement” backed by Israel and the US.
The Iranian people are determined to defend the country’s sovereignty and security against what Araghchi described as external threats, the statement said.
The call also focused on regional issues. The statement said Araghchi emphasised the importance of “stability and cooperation” in the region.
UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed the need for continued consultations and coordination among Iran, the Emirates and other countries in the region.