Donald Trump has called on Iranians to overthrow the country’s institutions, saying “help is on the way” after announcing fresh US tariffs on Iran over the regime’s violent crackdown on protesters.
Speaking in Michigan, the US president said he had cancelled meetings with Iranian officials and urged Iranians to seize institutions “if possible” and document the names of “killers and abusers” who would “pay a very big price.”
“Make Iran great again,” he said.
An Iranian journalist told The Australian at least 12,000 protesters have been killed in the past 15 days, a figure cited by CBS and Iran International as coming from a Revolutionary Guards report.
Iranian authorities claim about 2,000 deaths, including security forces. The regime is expected to execute a protester within 24 hours under the ‘Enemy of God’ charge.
Trump again warned Americans to leave Iran and is weighing options including further sanctions, support for opposition figures or renewed talks.
European governments and the EU have condemned what France called “state violence” and signalled further sanctions as reports of mass casualties and internet blackouts continue.
Source: The Australian.