Germany Iran: Trump promises help to protesters - Depressed mood
US President Donald Trump has suspended all talks with the leadership in Tehran until further notice in view of the state violence against demonstrators in Iran. "Iranian patriots, keep protesting! Take over your institutions!", he wrote on his Truth Social platform. He had canceled all meetings with Iranian government representatives until the "senseless killing of protesters stops". "They will pay a heavy price," Trump wrote, announcing that help was on the way. What exactly he meant by this was initially unclear.
13.01.2026, 19:04
13.01.2026, 20:31
SDA
Meanwhile, some normality returned to Iran. However, security forces and police were still posted in central squares in the major cities, as residents reported on the phone. Some protesters had wished for the United States to intervene after Trump's threats. "People were hoping that something would happen." According to eyewitnesses, the greatest violence took place on the nights of last Thursday and Friday, when the city was under a state of emergency. From Saturday onwards, the demonstrations became increasingly smaller. There was tense calm.
Human rights activists report more than 2,500 deaths during protests
Meanwhile, activists reported a high death toll. Since the outbreak of the protests, at least 2,500 people have died, reported the Norwegian-based human rights organization Hengaw, pointing out that its verification team is working daily to document deaths in the context of the mass protests.
Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), also registered in Norway, put the number of protesters killed at at least 734, but the organization also warned that the actual death toll could be significantly higher, even in the thousands. The Iranian state defended the violent crackdown by claiming that the participants in the unrest were "terrorists" or "rioters". None of the claims can currently be independently verified.
Trump has already threatened other measures
On Monday, Trump had already announced a 25% tariff on imports from all countries that do business with Iran on his Truth Social platform. However, many questions remained unanswered: it was not clear which countries would be specifically affected. The most important trading partners of the Islamic Republic, which is subject to far-reaching sanctions by the USA and the EU, include China, India, the Emirates and Turkey. However, EU countries such as Germany also trade with Iran on a small scale.
European countries summon Iranian ambassadors
Meanwhile, Germany's Foreign Office, several other European countries and the EU have summoned Iranian diplomats in response to the violent crackdown during the mass protests. The brutality of the regime is shocking, the German ministry announced on Platform X.
The formal summoning of an ambassador is considered a harsh diplomatic measure by which the government of the host country signals its clear displeasure. France, Denmark and Great Britain, among others, have also summoned Iranian ambassadors to their countries.
Iranian judiciary indicts first demonstrators
Meanwhile, Iran's judiciary brought the first protest participants to court. The Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that the public prosecutor's office in Tehran had filed charges against several detained individuals. Particularly serious cases of "rioters" would be given priority and treated separately. These include the accusation of "waging war against God" - an offense that can result in a death sentence under Islamic law in Iran. Amnesty International warned that the first death sentence in connection with the current protests could be carried out as early as this Wednesday.
Merz sees Iran's leadership at the end
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) expects a political upheaval in view of the mass protests. "If a regime can only hold on to power by force, then it is effectively finished. I assume that we are now seeing the last days and weeks of this regime," he said during his trip to India.
"I hope that there is a way to end this conflict peacefully. The mullah regime must now realize this," said Merz. He added that talks were being held with the USA, the UK and France on this issue. "The foreign ministers are in very close contact with each other in order to ensure that there can now be a peaceful transition to a democratically legitimized government in Iran."
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attacked Merz for this on social media. "Iranians also remember the disgusting praise of Israel by Mr. Merz," the minister wrote on Platform X, alluding to Merz's controversial "dirty work" statement. In June 2025, Merz had defended the Israeli attacks on Iran and said that Israel was doing the dirty work for everyone. "Shame on you," Araghchi continued.
Calls from Iran possible again for the first time
Residents of Tehran reported terrible days after calls abroad were possible again for the first time on Tuesday. "We hear that hundreds of victims - dead and injured - are being brought to hospitals every day. The situation is not good," said a young man. However, the internet remains blocked. Iran's security apparatus had cut off the population from the outside world in the face of mass protests since Thursday evening.
During the internet blockade, Iranians were also able to obtain information via satellite television. Some exile broadcasters can be received in Iran. In several parts of Tehran, however, security forces have begun confiscating satellite dishes from rooftops - an old practice from the pre-Internet era. Satellite dishes are officially banned.
