‘He hoped Trump’s help would arrive’: why protesters in Iran feel betrayed
Jan 17, 2026
Many believed a US president would – for the first time – rescue them but now people can only despair after mass arrests and brutalityWhen Donald Trump, said he would “rescue” protesters if Iranian authorities started shooting, Siavash Shirzad believed the US president.The 38-year-old father
had seen protests rise up before, only to be brutally crushed by authorities.
But this was the first time in his life that the president of the United States had promised to help demonstrators. Reassured, Shirzad took to the streets, ignoring his family’s warnings and joining the growing crowds. Continue reading... ...read more read less