US President Donald Trump addressed questions from reporters about ongoing protests in Iran during a tour of a Ford Motor Company plant in Dearborn, Michigan, on January 13, 2026.
A reporter asked Trump to clarify his earlier statement that “help is on the way” to Iranians protesting against their government. Trump responded: “You are going to have to figure that out. I’m sorry.”
When pressed on the number of people killed in Iran, Trump stated that no accurate figure had been provided to him, adding, “Everything is a lot. One is a lot. We will probably find out in the next 24 hours. I think it is a lot.”
The comments followed Trump’s recent post urging Iranians to continue protesting and assuring that “help is on its way,” along with his announcement of canceling all meetings with Iranian officials.
These remarks come as nationwide demonstrations in Iran, which began in late December 2025 over severe economic issues such as currency collapse and inflation, have escalated into widespread anti-government unrest. Iranian security forces have conducted a heavy crackdown, including a near-total internet blackout since early January 2026, restricting information flow. Human rights groups and media reports have cited varying casualty figures, with estimates of protester deaths ranging from hundreds to several thousand in recent days, though exact numbers remain difficult to verify due to limited access and communications restrictions.
Trump’s statements align with his prior warnings that the United States would respond strongly if Iranian authorities used lethal force against peaceful protesters, including threats of intervention. The president’s comments on January 13, made while traveling in Michigan, reflect heightened U.S. attention to the crisis as international concern grows over reported violence and repression in Iran.
