Iranian protesters are expressing despair after U.S. President Donald Trump promised support during demonstrations, only to pull back amid escalating violence. Siavash Shirzad, a 38-year-old father, took to the streets believing Trump’s assurances that protesters would be protected. He was shot during a protest in Tehran on 8 January and died hours later, leaving behind a 12-year-old son. His family said he had hoped “until the very end that Trump’s help would arrive.” Despite Trump’s initial calls for Iranians to continue protesting and promises that “help is on its way,” he later walked back any immediate intervention, telling reporters that he had received assurances from Iranian authorities that executions would not occur, at least temporarily. The streets of Tehran now appear largely empty, patrolled by armed security forces where crowds had once marched. While some protests continue outside the capital, communication blackouts make it difficult to gauge their scale. Mass arrests and reports of brutality have been widespread, with rights groups warning that detained protesters face risks of extrajudicial killings, torture, and unfair trials. One notable reprieve came with the cancellation of the execution of 26-year-old protester Erfan Soltani, news which Trump shared publicly. However, many Iranians abroad feel a profound sense of betrayal. For diaspora communities, weeks of watching protests met with violent crackdowns, coupled with Trump’s fluctuating statements, have deepened fears and frustration. “As someone living in the diaspora, this feels like a slap in the face,” said Elham, an Iranian in Sydney. “Iranians have been let down before. This time, there was a sense it was going to be different.” Analysts caution that any U.S. strike could risk retaliation against Israel and the United States while offering limited protection to protesters, potentially reinforcing accusations that the demonstrations are foreign-backed. Despite the uncertainty, some military movements, including the deployment of a U.S. aircraft carrier to the Middle East, indicate that intervention remains a possibility. Meanwhile, Iranian residents await clarity, unsure whether to resume protests or remain in hiding. “The protests have come to a pause, people are waiting to see what Trump will do,” said Alborz, a Tehran resident. The situation underscores the dangerous uncertainty faced by protesters, caught between promises of international support and the harsh realities of state crackdowns. For many inside and outside Iran, trust in foreign intervention has been shaken, leaving ordinary citizens to navigate escalating repression alone.