'He hoped Trump's help would arrive': why protesters in Iran feel betrayed

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

‘He hoped Trump’s help would arrive’: why protesters in Iran feel betrayed

Many believed a US president would – for the first time – rescue them but now people can only despair after mass arrests and brutality

Deepa Parent and William Christou
Sun 18 Jan 2026 05.00 GMT
Last modified on Sun 18 Jan 2026 05.01 GMT

When 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.

Authorities started shooting, but no help came. On 8 January, the internet was shut off and Iran went dark, Shirzad was shot at a protest in Tehran and died of his wounds hours later, leaving behind a 12-year-old son.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/18/why-protesters-iran-feel-betrayed-donald-trump

[paleotn]

1. He spews a great deal of nonsense, yet actually does very little

Guess they don't know the demented old fool like we do.

[ms liberty]

2. America has done this before. I believe it was Dubya the last time. Maybe the Arab Spring uprising?

We like to promise our support and then metaphorically sit on our hands.
In my memory it's always been the effing Repukes, but I could be wrong. We've had our own spoilsports over the years.

[Turbineguy]

3. He betrays everybody.

Less so if they pay him.

[Tetrachloride]

4. Same thing in Vietnam after WW 2. Same thing in Korea a bit during Woodrow Wilson

a lot of countries.

America is hot air.

[Grins]

5. No one and no country can count on the United States.

Our word and honor are both worthless.