For Siavash Shirzad and millions of Iranians like him, Donald Trump's promise to "rescue" protesters if Iranian authorities started shooting was more than just empty words - it was a lifeline that seemed within reach. The 38-year-old father had seen protests rise up before, only to be brutally crushed by authorities, but this time, the US president's statement of support gave him the courage to join the growing crowds in Tehran.
As Shirzad took to the streets, his family warned him about the dangers, but he was reassured that Trump would come through. "We told him: 'Don't go, it's dangerous'," his cousin recalled, speaking anonymously for fear of repercussions. But Shirzad gave a firm answer: "Trump said he supports us, I'm going." His decision would ultimately prove fatal.
Just hours after Shirzad was shot and killed during the protests, Trump seemed to walk back from the brink of military intervention, telling reporters that he had received assurances that Iranian authorities would not execute anyone. But for many Iranians, particularly those living abroad, this about-face felt like a slap in the face. "As someone living in the diaspora, this feels like a betrayal," said Elham, an Iranian living in Sydney. "Iranians have been let down before. This time, there was a sense it was going to be different."
The Iranian government's response to Trump's statement only fueled fears among protesters that they had been left high and dry. The authorities refrained from executing protesters, cancelling the death sentence of 26-year-old protester Erfan Soltani, but many Iranians wonder if this is just a short-term reprieve.
For many, the world has failed them in their hour of need. "If Trump gives the regime a lifeline, it will be such a profound betrayal from which ordinary Iranians won't recover," said Azam Jangravi, an Iranian based in Canada whose close friend was killed in protests in Isfahan last week.
The international community's response to the crisis has been largely one of inaction. Despite growing reports that a strike on Iran was imminent, Trump and other world leaders have yet to take concrete action to support the protesters. As a result, many Iranians are left feeling like they are stuck in limbo, unsure if they should take to the streets again.
The lack of urgency from the international community is not surprising, given the complexities of the situation. But for many Iranians, the stakes are high and the silence from the world is deafening. "The people of Iran believed him," said Jangravi. "They placed their trust in his words. If he fails to act against this brutal regime, that trust will be broken and the people of Iran will not forget who stood with them, and who turned away."
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the world has a responsibility to act, not just to talk about it. The lives of protesters like Siavash Shirzad are being lost in silence, and it's time for something to be done.
As Shirzad took to the streets, his family warned him about the dangers, but he was reassured that Trump would come through. "We told him: 'Don't go, it's dangerous'," his cousin recalled, speaking anonymously for fear of repercussions. But Shirzad gave a firm answer: "Trump said he supports us, I'm going." His decision would ultimately prove fatal.
Just hours after Shirzad was shot and killed during the protests, Trump seemed to walk back from the brink of military intervention, telling reporters that he had received assurances that Iranian authorities would not execute anyone. But for many Iranians, particularly those living abroad, this about-face felt like a slap in the face. "As someone living in the diaspora, this feels like a betrayal," said Elham, an Iranian living in Sydney. "Iranians have been let down before. This time, there was a sense it was going to be different."
The Iranian government's response to Trump's statement only fueled fears among protesters that they had been left high and dry. The authorities refrained from executing protesters, cancelling the death sentence of 26-year-old protester Erfan Soltani, but many Iranians wonder if this is just a short-term reprieve.
For many, the world has failed them in their hour of need. "If Trump gives the regime a lifeline, it will be such a profound betrayal from which ordinary Iranians won't recover," said Azam Jangravi, an Iranian based in Canada whose close friend was killed in protests in Isfahan last week.
The international community's response to the crisis has been largely one of inaction. Despite growing reports that a strike on Iran was imminent, Trump and other world leaders have yet to take concrete action to support the protesters. As a result, many Iranians are left feeling like they are stuck in limbo, unsure if they should take to the streets again.
The lack of urgency from the international community is not surprising, given the complexities of the situation. But for many Iranians, the stakes are high and the silence from the world is deafening. "The people of Iran believed him," said Jangravi. "They placed their trust in his words. If he fails to act against this brutal regime, that trust will be broken and the people of Iran will not forget who stood with them, and who turned away."
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the world has a responsibility to act, not just to talk about it. The lives of protesters like Siavash Shirzad are being lost in silence, and it's time for something to be done.
so what was trump thinking when he said that? like, did he really think his words would just magically stop the bloodshed in iran? 
it sounds crazy, but for millions of Iranians, those words were a lifeline... and they were literally killed because of them 
. it's not just about trump either, it's about the whole international community... where was everyone else when the protests started? why isn't anyone taking concrete action to support the protesters? 
it's like we're all just standing by, watching people die... and nobody's doing anything about it 
. i mean, azam said it really well: "if trump gives the regime a lifeline, it will be such a profound betrayal from which ordinary Iranians won't recover"... that's so true 
... meanwhile, these poor protesters who got hurt or killed in the protests are left with no closure and their families are still grieving 
. Trump's initial promise to "rescue" protesters was a major turning point, but now it feels like just another empty promise 
. It's just not good enough.
. Where are all these leaders when it counts? We need concrete actions, not just vague statements. The lives of protesters like Shirzad won't be forgotten, though 
Still can't believe Trump would walk back on his promise like that... feels so empty and cowardly 
What really needs to change is the international community's response, they're all just talking about it without taking concrete action 
. These lives lost aren't just Iranian citizens, they're people with families, friends, hopes and dreams 
IT'S NOT OKAY FOR TRUMP TO JUST WALK AWAY FROM THE PROTESTERS IN TEHRAN WHEN THEY'RE BEING SHOT AND KILLED!!! 
IF HE'S REALLY GOING TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE OF IRAN, WE SHOULD SEE SOME ACTION FROM HIM BY NOW!!! 
IT'S NOT JUST A MATTER OF "OH WELL, THAT'S JUST WAR", IT'S PEOPLE'S LIVES WE'RE TALKING ABOUT!!! 
It's crazy how much faith people had in Trump's words, but the US gov't didn't come through like they said they would 
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! I mean, Trump's initial promise to "rescue" protesters was literally a lifesaver for people like Siavash Shirzad, but then he just kinda... disappears? Like, what happened?! 
And now everyone's left feeling super betrayed & hopeless 
This whole situation is just, like, so messed up 
he did say somethin about support but its not like he said hes gonna send a team of army guys to save ppl from Iran authorities. its not that simple . Iranians r gettin caught in the middle of all this geo politick and they dont need americans makin excuses for their govts actions.
Anyway, this whole situation is a total bummer - it's like the world just abandoned these people. I feel bad for Elham and Azam Jangravi, they're basically saying "seriously? You promised to rescue us and now what?" 
(71% believed in US support), but his reversal has left many feeling betrayed 
.
. The lack of urgency from world leaders is staggering 