Iran regime’s ‘grip is unraveling’, House Foreign Affairs Committee says

The US State Department’s Persian-language account on X highlighted on Tuesday that, ten days after the start of the protests, Iranians across the country are still taking part in rallies despite an intensifying crackdown, saying at least 29 protesters have been killed and more than 1,200 arrested.

“Despite threats of violence and harsh punishments, Iranians continue to demand justice and freedom. Their courage in the face of such dangers is extraordinary, and their unwavering resolve keeps hope for justice alive,” the post said.

In one clip, a woman holds a sign reading, "Trump, a symbol of peace. Don't let them kill us," while another shows the same message spray painted in red on a concrete wall.

The woman holds the sign in English while she says in Farsi, "Help, we need HELP."

A viewer sent in a video from Yazdanshahr in Esfahan Province showing protesters standing and resisting in the street as government security forces opened fire.

Addressing Donald Trump, the protester says: "Do something, Trump! If not now, then when? Step forward."

US Senator Lindsey Graham on Monday posted a picture of himself alongside Trump, who was holding a signed "Make Iran Great Again" cap. The President had invoked the slogan on June 22, the day he launched surprise attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.

Another video shows a young man jumping up to paste a sticker reading "Trump Street" in Farsi over a road sign on a wall.

Trump earlier warned Iran that the United States will "hit (Iran) very hard" if security forces kill protesters.

The US president also posed with a "Make Iran Great Again" hat in a picture shared by Republican senator Lindsey Graham.

The MIGA slogan was earlier used by Trump in a post on his Truth Social in June.

"It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!" the president wrote at the time.

Also in late December, Israeli minister Gila Gamliel posted a selfie wearing a MIGA cap, tagging exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi and captioning it "Soon."

Elon inspires protesters

A Persian phrase used by Elon Musk in reply to a post by Iran’s Supreme Leader on X also made its way into the ongoing protests in Iran.

Protesters in Chenar village in Asadabad, Hamadan, chanted the phrase — which roughly translates as “what a futile delusion” or “in your dreams”.

Musk used the phrase in response to a post by Khamenei that said, “We will not give in to the enemy.”

The Republican-led US House Foreign Affairs Committee voiced support for anti-regime protesters in Iran on Tuesday, saying demonstrators are “taking to the streets to reclaim that right” as it shared a video of protests.

“For too long, the Islamic regime in Tehran has denied its people the right to choose who governs them,” the committee’s GOP majority posted on X.“Now, they are taking to the streets to reclaim that right.”

US Senator Lindsey Graham accused Iran’s leadership of violently repressing protesters, saying President Donald Trump should be taken seriously when he issues warnings.

“If the Iranian regime leaders continue to indiscriminately kill people protesting bitter oppression, then maybe we should tell those leaders that they continue the killing at their own peril,” Graham said in a post on X.

Last week Trump said in a post on Truth Social that the United States was “locked and loaded and ready to go” and warned Iran it would face a strong response if protesters were killed.

At least 36 people have been killed during ongoing protests in Iran, a US-based human rights group said, as merchant strikes and street demonstrations spread to 285 locations across 92 cities nationwide on the tenth day of unrest.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said at least 34 protesters and two members of Iran’s security forces have been killed since the unrest began on Dec. 28.

Four of those killed were under the age of 18. Dozens more protesters have been injured, many by pellet and plastic bullets.

Protests have now been recorded in 27 provinces, with security forces arresting more than 2,000 people, the report said.

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