He Believed "Help Was On The Way"

Iranian protesters have died because they believed “Help is on the way”

Iranian protesters feel misled by President Donald Trump — and are dying for believing his words. He clearly said, “Help is on the way,” and he told them to take over their institutions. Then — NOTHING!

Siavash Shirzad was one of them. Siavash believed Trump’s statements promising to “rescue” Iranian demonstrators if the government began shooting. He clung to that belief to the very end, even as he lay dying from the wounds he suffered after being gunned down by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s security forces. The promised help STILL has not arrived.

Demand Congress and the White House KEEP THEIR PROMISES and STAND with the IRANIAN PEOPLE.

On January 2, 2026, five days after the Iranian protests began, the official White House social media account retweeted President Trump’s message from his personal account:

If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protestors, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP

Believing the most powerful government and military in the world would back them, hundreds of thousands more Iranians filled the street in every city and province across the Persian land.

The ayatollah’s police, military, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) mowed them down with machine gun fire.

Unarmed, peaceful Iranian protesters — numbering over 36,000 — were slaughtered the following week alone.

On January 13, 2026, 11 days after his first post and four days after the most recent slaughter, President Trump posted again, saying:

Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP

They believed Trump...

Despite warnings from his family about the danger, Shirzad joined the protests, reassured by Trump’s remarks. The ayatollah’s security forces opened fire, shooting Siavash and thousands of others. IRGC and security forces refused to allow medical professionals to treat the wounded. Siavash died of his wounds a few days later. His family says Siavash trusted Trump would rescue them up until his very last breath.

Trump reversed course and people are dying as a result.

Shortly after President Trump told the Iranian people that “Help is on the way,” he reversed course, stating he had received assurances from Iranian officials that detainees would not be executed.

This shift left protesters feeling abandoned as violence and mass arrests continued. Streets that had previously been filled with demonstrators are now empty as armed security forces continue to occupy public spaces.

The ayatollah's security forces continue to hunt down suspected protesters. Iranian state-run media broadcasts forced confessions and interrogations, making clear that detainees, and their families, remain at risk.

The Iranian people’s hope, born of President Trump’s promises, is quickly being replaced with disillusionment and fear.

The Trump administration is pursuing a new “Iran Deal.” But before the U.S. inks yet another deal, they must make good on the promises President Trump made to the Iranian people.

Fax Congress and the Trump Administration now. Demand they do what they promised for the Iranian people!

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SOURCES:

Dimadis, Athanasios. "Inside Iran’s Crisis: Protests, Crackdowns and High Stakes Diplomacy.” Foreign Press Correspondents USA, February 9, 2026. Foreignpress.org/us-culture-arts-review/inside-irans-crisis-protests-crackdowns-and-high-stakes-diplomacy.

‌Donald J. ‌Trump (@realDonaldTrump). Truth Social, January 13, 2026, 9:43 a.m. Truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115888317758045915.

“Over 36,500 Killed in Iran’s Deadliest Massacre, Documents Reveal.” Iran International, January 25, 2026. Iranintl.com/en/202601255198.

‌Parent, Deepa, and William Christou. “‘He Hoped Trump’s Help Would Arrive’: Why Protesters in Iran Feel Betrayed.” The Guardian, January 18, 2026. Theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/18/why-protesters-iran-feel-betrayed-donald-trump.

The White House (@WhiteHouse). X, January 2, 2026, 8:31 a.m. X.com/WhiteHouse/status/2007082423121748269.

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