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U.S. President Donald Trump called on Iranians on Tuesday to continue their protests and claimed that assistance is coming, although he did not provide specifics. This plea comes as Iran's religious leadership intensifies its crackdown on the largest protests seen in years. In a message posted on Truth Social, Trump encouraged Iranian citizens, stating, “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!... HELP IS ON ITS WAY.” He also declared that he had canceled all discussions with Iranian officials until the “senseless killing” of protesters ceased. The unrest, triggered by severe economic hardships, represents the most significant internal challenge to Iran’s clerical government in at least three years and occurs amidst growing international pressure following U.S. and Israeli military actions last year. An Iranian official reported on Tuesday that approximately 2,000 people have died during the protests, marking the first acknowledgment from authorities of such a high death toll amid a strict crackdown on two weeks of nationwide protests. This official, who spoke to Reuters but wished to remain anonymous, claimed that individuals he labeled as terrorists were responsible for the deaths of both protesters and security personnel, though he did not specify the identities of those killed. On Monday evening, Trump announced a 25% import tax on goods from any country that conducts business with Iran, a significant oil producer. He also mentioned that military action is one of the options he is considering to respond to Iran's crackdown, stating earlier this month, “we are locked and loaded.” Iran has yet to publicly react to Trump’s tariff announcement, which was quickly criticized by China. Currently, Iran, which is already facing extensive U.S. sanctions, primarily exports its oil to China, with Turkey, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and India being other key trade partners. RUSSIA CONDEMNS ‘SUBVERSIVE EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE’ Russia denounced what it termed “subversive external interference” in Iran’s domestic affairs on Tuesday, stating that U.S. threats of new military action against Iran are “categorically unacceptable.”