The Iranian people, facing a massacre by the authorities, have shown no signs of retreat. On the contrary, they continue to take to the streets. A video circulating shows Tehran streets filled with protesters unafraid of death.
On Jan. 13, in an interview with CBS News, Trump said, “If they [the Iranian authorities] carry out executions by hanging, you’re going to see some things that might make you very happy.” When asked about his ultimate goal regarding Iran, Trump named three individuals: Maduro, al-Baghdadi, and Iran’s Soleimani.
Latest from Iran
Military analyst Babak Taghvaee reported on X on Jan. 13: “Special police units of Iran’s Islamic regime have deployed pickup trucks armed with DShK heavy machine guns into residential neighborhoods in Tehran tonight. This photo was taken in the Sadeghiyeh district of Tehran. This deployment highlights the extreme measures authorities are taking to intimidate the population amid nationwide unrest. Over 12,000 Iranian protesters have already been killed in the ongoing crackdown.”
Taghvaee also noted: “To sever the connection between the Iranian people and the free world, the Islamic regime is conducting nationwide home raids, forced searches, and confiscating satellite TV equipment and antennas. In addition, the regime has seized terminals used to access the Starlink internet. This is part of a nationwide network and communications blackout to prevent Iranians from organizing and participating in anti-government protests.”
Unverified reports circulating on X indicate that Iranians are attempting to break through the government’s lockdown. One message read: “Hello. I’m writing from Javanrud. I got an Iraqi SIM card and connected to the internet through the Parviz Khan border. Kermanshah city is in a full state of alert, street fighting is ongoing, and checkpoints are set up at all entrances. But the people are already armed, and the revolution continues strongly. Many mercenaries (mostly agents) have already died. With the number of armed citizens increasing, the enemy’s attack has turned into retreat. If all cities are armed, we will achieve victory within two weeks.”
Success
You are now signed up for our newsletter
Success
Check your email to complete sign up
A young conscript in the Iranian Army (not the Revolutionary Guard) sent a message to Trump: “President Trump, we, all the people and the Army, are ready and waiting for you to free Iran from this tyrannical regime so we can rebuild it and, as you said, ‘Make Iran Great Again.’”
In a video shared online, a young man revealed his scarred chest and called out: “President Trump, please help us. Tomorrow we will take to the streets again, not for paradise or money, but for the return of my father (HRH Reza Pahlavi), my mother, my sister, and all my brothers. To every Iranian abroad, know that we love you. Even if we are shot thousands of times, we will still sacrifice our lives without hesitation. Long live Iran.”
Support from overseas
In the comment sections, Chinese users also expressed support: “Long live the people. One flag, one nation, one warrior, a group of people, one song, charging together, fearless, pressing forward. 47 years, 76 years, Iran today, China tomorrow! The fight continues, life goes on, song of ideals, imagining the future. Go, long live the people of Iran! Chinese people, stand up, stop kneeling!”
Meanwhile, CBS News interviewed President Trump in Dearborn, Michigan. Trump issued a stern warning to the Iranian authorities: if Iran begins hanging anti-government protesters this week, the U.S. will “take very strong action.”
In the CBS Evening News interview, Trump reiterated that “large amounts of aid are on the way” to Iranian citizens, in various forms including economic support. He referenced last year’s U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
When asked about his ultimate goal regarding Iran, Trump said: “The ultimate goal is to win. I like to win.” When pressed on what “win” means, he cited several military actions during his first and second terms: the recent capture of Maduro in Venezuela, the 2019 killing of al-Baghdadi, and the 2020 assassination of Soleimani.
Trump continued: “We do not want to see what’s happening in Iran continue… When they start killing thousands, now with these talks of ‘hanging,’ let’s see what consequences that brings them. There will definitely be no good outcome.”
On the afternoon of Jan.13, NewsNation White House reporter Kelly Meyer reported: “The President changed his schedule at the last moment and returned to the Oval Office instead of the residence (forcing the press corps to rush over), but he did not take questions. He is now in the Oval Office.”
