Iran protests live updates: Trump warns of ‘very strong action’ if Iran executes protesters, as death toll soars

<p>US president says ‘help is on its way’, as reported death toll rises into the thousands and concerns Tehran may carry out first protest-related execution, that of Erfan Soltani </p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/13/trump-promises-iran-help-tells-iranians-keep-protesting">Trump promises ‘help is on its way’ and tells Iranians to ‘keep protesting’</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/jan/13/hundreds-of-gunshot-eye-injuries-found-in-one-iranian-hospital-amid-brutal-crackdown-on-protests">Hundreds of gunshot eye injuries found in one Iranian hospital amid brutal crackdown on protests</a> </p></li></ul><p>Welcome to our continuing live coverage of the Iran crisis. <strong>Donald Trump</strong> has said the US “will take very strong action” against Iran if the regime starts to execute people as part of their crackdown on the spiralling protests inside the country.</p><p>Trump told CBS News: “When they start killing thousands of people – and now you’re telling me about hanging. We’ll see how that’s going to work out for them.”</p><p><strong>The US state department has said US citizens should leave <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/iran">Iran</a> now</strong> and “if safe to do so, consider departing Iran by land to Armenia or Türkiye”. The <a href="https://ir.usembassy.gov/iran-security-alert-land-border-crossings-january-12-2026/">US virtual embassy for Iran</a> says citizens should “plan alternative means of communication” due to “continued internet outages” and “have a plan for departing that does not rely on US government help”.</p><p><strong>Donald Trump announced that he was cancelling meetings with Iranian officials “until the senseless killing” stops, signalling a possible breakdown in de-escalation efforts</strong>. Trump is expected to receive a briefing on Tuesday night on the scale of casualties in Iran. His vice-president JD Vance, who had <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/trump-iran-plans-military-strikes-diplomacy-e74b1d8b/">reportedly</a> been urging Trump to try diplomacy first, is chairing a a National Security Council principals meeting on Iran.</p><p><strong>Elon Musk’s SpaceX is offering people in Iran free internet through Starlink’s satellite service</strong>, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-13/musk-offers-free-starlink-in-iran-as-internet-blackout-persists">according to Bloomberg News</a>, as the internet blackout in the country surpassed the five-day mark. The subscription fee has been waived so that people with receivers in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/iran">Iran</a> can access service without paying, according to Bloomberg’s report.</p><p><strong>Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff met in secret with Reza Pahlavi, the exiled former Iranian crown prince, last weekend, Axios reported.</strong> A senior US official told the outlet the pair discussed the protests. In previous messages that have been blocked by the Iranian government internet shutdown, he has said that he is ready to lead a transition. He has also pushed for a referendum and nonviolent change in the country.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/jan/14/iran-protests-live-updates-trump-us-action-death-toll-protester-executions-erfan-soltani">Continue reading...</a>

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