Trump cancels his meetings with Iranian officials and tells protesters that help is on the way

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Trump said Tuesday he has canceled talks with Iranian officials amid the protest campaign, telling Iranian citizens “help is on the way.”

Trump did not provide any details about what the aid would entail, but it comes after the Republican president said earlier this week that Iran wants to negotiate with Washington after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic has killed more than 2,000 people, according to human rights monitors.

He watches: Protests escalate in Iran with regime crackdowns that have left more than 500 dead

But with his latest message on social media, Trump appears to have made a sudden about-face on his willingness to deal with the Iranian government.

“Iranian patriots, keep protesting – take over your institutions!!!” Trump wrote in a morning post on Truth Social. “Save the names of the killers and aggressors. They will pay a heavy price. I have canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters stops. Help is on the way.”

President Tehran has repeatedly threatened military action if his administration finds the Islamic Republic using lethal force against anti-government protesters, but has not said whether he has made a decision on a response.