President Trump called on the Iranian people on Tuesday to "keep protesting" and "take over" government institutions.
Why it matters: This is the most explicit backing Trump has given to the idea of toppling the Iranian regime since the protests started more than two weeks ago. While Trump said "help is on its way," he didn't say what form it would take.
- Trump is weighing the possibility of striking Iran, though some in the White House are skeptical that would actually weaken the regime's hold on power.
What he's saying: "Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price," Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
- He added that he has "cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS", but it is not clear if any such meetings have been scheduled.
- "HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!" Trump wrote, calling on the protesters to "Make Iran Great Again."
What to watch: Trump's senior national security team will meet on Iran at the White House on Tuesday afternoon. It's unclear if the president will participate.
- Trump previously threatened military action if protesters were killed.
- U.S.-based human rights organization HRANA said Tuesday that around 2,000 people had been killed, mostly protesters but also some members of the regime security forces.
- It's difficult to get a full picture of the scale of the protests and crackdown as Iran is still under an internet blackout.
