Administration issues warning to US citizens: ‘Leave Iran now’ – key US politics stories from 13 January at a glance
Donald Trump has told Iranians to keep protesting and said help was on the way, in the clearest sign yet that the US president may be preparing for military action against Tehran.
“Iranian Patriots, keep protesting – take over your institutions!!! … help is on its way,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday. He added that he had cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials until the “senseless killing” of protesters stopped.
His call to keep protesting comes a day after demonstrations had apparently subsided owing to the severity of the crackdown. Trump is still conferring with officials about the action he could take. But his words imply he will not be content with further economic pressure.
The US state department issued a warning Tuesday to US citizens currently in the country: “Leave Iran now.”
The US virtual embassy for Iran says citizens should “have a plan for departing that does not rely on US government help” and “if safe to do so, consider departing Iran by land to Armenia or Türkiye.”
Trump said that there would be “very strong action” if the regime hangs protesters. He did not elaborate on what that would mean.
