U.S. President Donald Trump’s Iran uprising call drew thousands of responses Wednesday from Iranians who cited fear of repression, distrust of Washington and insufficient outside support.
Trump asked on Truth Social late Tuesday when Iranians would “rise up and fight” against the Islamic Republic. He also rejected reports that Washington was trying to force Tehran back into negotiations.
“I couldn’t care less if they sign a worthless, to them, agreement,” Trump wrote. He said the United States held “almost total control” of the Strait of Hormuz and claimed Iran’s economy was collapsing.
Responses submitted to Iran International pushed back on Trump’s appeal. One respondent turned his earlier protest rhetoric against him, saying: “This time you fight. Help from the people is on its way.”
Several respondents said Iranians had repeatedly confronted authorities but remained reluctant to return to the streets while security forces retained the ability to suppress demonstrations with lethal force.
Others expressed concern that Washington could encourage another uprising and later resume negotiations with Tehran.
Several cited Trump’s earlier statement during January protests that “help is on its way,” arguing that previous assurances had failed to produce meaningful assistance.
Some respondents called for greater international pressure on Tehran and clearer backing for opposition figures, including exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi.
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The submissions reflected views collected by Iran International and were not presented as a representative survey of Iran’s population.
Trump’s comments came as the US-Iran war entered its seventh month. U.S. forces carried out new strikes Tuesday against Iranian air defences and military assets after attacks on American facilities and commercial shipping.
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Iran responded early Wednesday with missile and drone attacks targeting facilities used by U.S. forces in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Iraq.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has separately argued for stronger economic pressure on Tehran and warned that additional sanctions could target Iranian banks and entities continuing to conduct business with Iran.
