As anti-regime protests continue in Iran, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday heightened uncertainty around Washington’s next steps on Iran after saying “help is on its way” for Iranian protesters, before
urging Americans to leave the country amid widening unrest.
The remarks came as protests in Iran entered a third week, with demonstrators taking to the streets over economic hardship, political repression and rising prices. Iranian authorities have responded with a sweeping crackdown, including mass arrests and communications blackouts.
According to Reuters, Iranian officials have acknowledged that around 2,000 people have been killed during the unrest, marking the first time authorities have provided an overall death toll. A US-based rights group said most of those killed were protesters and that detentions had surged sharply in recent days.
Meanwhile, CNN quoted US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) stating that at least 2,403 protesters have been killed since the anti-government demonstrations began in late December.
