Iran will be hit “like never before,” according to the US president, as the number of protest-related deaths rises. Washington: US President Donald Trump stated that the country is weighing “very strong options” in reaction to events in Iran, citing reports of possible civilian casualties that prompted a heightened military assessment.On his way back from Florida to the White House on Sunday, Trump told reporters on Air Force One, “They’re starting to, it looks like, and there seem to be some people killed that aren’t supposed to be killed.” “If you refer to these as leaders, they are violent. I’m not sure if they are leaders or if they simply use violence to govern.
According to two people familiar with internal White House discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity and were not authorized to comment publicly, Trump and his national security team have been considering a variety of possible responses against Iran, including cyberattacks and direct strikes by the US or Israel.”We’re looking at some very strong options, and the military is looking at it,” Trump said to reporters on Sunday night. When asked about Iran’s retaliatory threats, he responded, “If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before.”
The death toll rises to at least 544
At least 544 people have been killed in Iran’s crackdown on statewide rallies, and more are reportedly dead, according to activists on Sunday. Tehran warned that Israel and the US military would be “legitimate targets” if America used force to defend protesters. Over 10,600 more individuals have been arrested throughout the two weeks of protests, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in past recent turmoil. It depends on Iranian supporters verifying information. According to the report, 48 of the fatalities were security personnel and 496 were demonstrators.
The President refused to provide precise military plans when asked if Iran had crossed a red line. “Are you really asking me to tell you what they’re going to do? Where are we going to attack? “When and from what angle are we going to attack?” he asked. Trump claimed to receive regular reports on the state of affairs in Iran. “I’m getting an hourly report, and we’re gonna make a determination,” he stated.
When asked about reports of protester deaths, Trump claimed that crowd dynamics were a factor in some of the killings. “The stampeding caused the deaths of a few demonstrators. He remarked, “I mean, there are so many of ’em, and some were shot.” Trump gave a direct warning in response to inquiries about potential reprisal by Iran or its allies. “If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before,” he added. “They won’t even believe it.” Iran should already be aware of the US resolve, he said. Trump asked a reporter, “Don’t you think they take your threats seriously?” “After going through it for years with me being hit, Soleimani, al-Baghdadi, the Iran nuclear threat wiped out.”
Trump did not provide a timescale for any decision or whether he had collaborated with US partners on a response. In recent weeks, Iran has seen many waves of protests. In Iranian cities, thousands of people are demonstrating against the current government.
Israel is “closely observing.”
According to an Israeli official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not permitted to speak to journalists, Israel is “watching closely” the US-Iranian scenario. The person also stated that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed Iran during their midnight conversation.
“The people of Israel, the entire world, are in awe of the tremendous heroism of the citizens of Iran,” lifelong Iran hawk Netanyahu declared.
Mashhad and Tehran protests
Videos reportedly showing protesters congregating in the Punak area of northern Tehran were relayed from Iran using Starlink satellite transmitters. There, demonstrators waved their illuminated cell phones as it seemed that the police had blocked off the streets. As pyrotechnics exploded, others pounded metal.The Human Rights Activists News Agency stated that the structure of protests in the capital has mostly taken the form of dispersed, transient, and fluid meetings, an approach developed in response to the heavy presence of security personnel and increased field pressure.
“Reports were received of surveillance drones flying overhead and movements by security forces around protest locations, indicating ongoing monitoring and security control.” Video purportedly showed demonstrators fighting security personnel in Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city, which is located some 725 kilometers (450 miles) northeast of Tehran. Kerman, 800 kilometers (500 miles) southeast of Tehran, also seems to be experiencing protests.
