Trump cancels Iran talks, urges protesters to seize institutions as tensions escalate
Washington: United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that he has cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials, issuing a direct appeal to protesters in Iran to continue demonstrations and “take over” state institutions amid an intensified government crackdown in Tehran.
In a series of posts on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said he had suspended diplomatic engagements with Iran until what he described as the “senseless killing of protesters” comes to an end. He also claimed that “help is on the way,” without providing details on the nature or form of that assistance.
ALSO READ: Denmark, Greenland leaders stand united against Trump
Addressing demonstrators directly, Trump urged them to persist with protests, document those responsible for violence and abuse, and warned that accountability would follow. His remarks follows Iran's largest wave of anti-government protests in years and amid rising international concern over the use of force by Iranian authorities.
The US president has in recent days repeatedly raised the possibility of military action against Iran, suggesting that a harsh response by Tehran to the protests could trigger American intervention. On Monday, Trump also announced a 25 percent tariff on any country continuing to do business with Iran, further tightening economic pressure.
The US State Department escalated its warning on Tuesday, as reported by Al Jazeera. It urged American citizens to leave Iran immediately as tensions mount. When questioned by reporters about his statement that “help is on the way,” Trump declined to elaborate, telling journalists they would have to “figure that one out."
In an interview with CBS News later the same day, Trump said Washington would take “very strong actions” if Iranian authorities carried out executions of protesters, adding that he had yet to receive verified figures on the number of deaths.
Iranian officials have rejected allegations of repression and have instead accused foreign powers of orchestrating unrest. Iran’s top military commander, Abdolrahim Mousavi, recently alleged that the US and Israel had deployed fighters from the Islamic State group inside Iran to carry out attacks, without presenting evidence. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also claimed that authorities possess recordings of foreign voices directing “terrorist agents” to fire on police and protesters.
The rhetoric has further inflamed tensions. Ali Larijani, chief of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said in a post on X that Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were the “main killers of the people of Iran.”
France and Qatar have been among those calling for de-escalation. On Tuesday, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani spoke with Larijani, showed Doha’s support for efforts at calming the situation and pursuing peaceful solutions. Iran’s foreign minister also held talks with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot, according to Iranian media.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
21-year-old air hostess dies by suicide in Thane; ex-partner booked for abetment
Thane: A 21-year-old air hostess allegedly died by suicide at her residence in Maharashtra’s Thane district, and police have registered a case of abetment against her former partner, officials said on Wednesday.
The woman was found hanging from a ceiling hook at her residence in Anusuya Niwas area of Kalyan on December 28, News18 reported.
According to a complaint filed by the deceased’s mother, she became concerned after her daughter failed to respond to repeated phone calls and asked a neighbour to check on her. The neighbour found the woman hanging from a ceiling hook.
ALSO READ: West Bengal: Cold conditions likely to abate from weekend
She was rushed to Rukminibai Hospital, where doctors declared her dead, the official said.
The complaint stated that the deceased had been in a relationship with the accused since 2020. It alleged that he had recently refused to marry her, threatened to make her private photographs public, and had entered into a relationship with another woman, which drove her to suicide.
The family reported several grievances after reviewing her phone and bank statements following her last rites.
Police stated that the chat records and marks on her body suggested the accused frequently assaulted her. Bank account details showed that the accused had taken several lakh rupees from her on the promise of marriage, with the last transaction recorded on December 16, 2025.
Based on the complaint, police have registered an FIR against the accused under Section 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is underway, officials said.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
