US President Donald Trump was consulting with his national security team on Tuesday about next steps with Iran as he looked to get a better understanding of the number of Iranian citizens who have been killed and arrested in more than two weeks of unrest throughout the country. Trump said he believes that the killing is “significant” and that his administration would “act accordingly.” He added that he believed the Iranian government was “badly misbehaving.” On the other hand, Iran Suprme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini accused Trump of inciting political instability in Tehran
2,571 killed in Iran
But the president said he has yet to receive a confirmed number of Iranians killed in the protests that began late last month, saying he has heard “five different sets of numbers” about the death toll. Since the protests began on December 28, 16,700 people have been arrested and more than 2,571 have been killed, the vast majority protesters, according to Human Rights Activists News Agency. The organization relies on a network of activists inside Iran that confirms all reported fatalities.
“The message is they've got to show humanity,” Trump said of the Iranian government. “They've got a big problem. And I hope they're not going to be killing people.”
Iran accuses Trump of encouraging political destabilization, inciting violence
Iran accused Trump of encouraging political destabilisation, inciting violence, and threatening the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security, Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani wrote to the UN Security Council.
“The United States and the Israeli regime bear direct and undeniable legal responsibility for the resulting loss of innocent civilian lives, particularly among the youth,” he wrote in the letter, which was also sent to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
He wrote the letter in response to a social media post by Trump earlier on Tuesday.
"Help is on its way"
The comments came after Trump earlier in the day announced he was cutting off the prospect of talks with Iranian officials amid a protest crackdown, telling Iranian citizens, “help is on its way.” Trump did not offer any details about what the help would entail, but it comes after the Republican president just two days ago said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic. But Trump appeared to make an abrupt shift in his willingness to engage with the Iranian government.
“Iranian Patriots, keep protesting and take over your institutions if you can,” Trump said in a speech Tuesday at an auto factory in Michigan. “Save the names of the killers and abusers who are abusing you. You are being very badly abused."