Donald Trump vows 'very strong action' if Iran executes protesters

"We will take very strong action. If they do such a thing, we will take very strong action," Mr. Trump told "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil during an exclusive network interview in Dearborn, Michigan, airing Tuesday night.

The US president also said he is aware of a "significant number" of people killed during more than two weeks of demonstrations. According to sources cited by the outlet, at least 12,000 people, and possibly more than 20,000, are now believed to have died.

CBS News also recalled that on Tuesday the US president warned on social media that Iranian officials would face a "high price" for any violence and told Iranian citizens that assistance was on the way.

In addition, Donald Trump said he would cancel all meetings with Iranian officials until the killings stop. Speaking to reporters while returning to the White House, he said he expected to receive precise information within minutes about developments in Iran and would act together with his team accordingly.

Earlier, Trump publicly urged Iranians to continue anti-government protests and take control of institutions, reiterating that help for protesters was already on its way. He had previously warned the Iranian authorities of retaliation over the violent suppression of protests that began in late December 2025 and later escalated into clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

The protests in Tehran were triggered by a sharp collapse of the national currency, which hit businesses hard and initially drove traders from the capital’s central market into the streets.