Source, Reuters
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- Written by, BBC News Turkish
- Where he stated, London
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Reading time: 4 min
Speaking to CBS, BBC’s broadcast partner in the USA, two Pentagon officials said that Donald Trump was informed about the operation options against Iran.
According to these sources, in addition to the long-range missile attack, Trump was also presented with cyber operations and psychological campaign options.
Pentagon sources state that options to disrupt Iran’s command structure and communications are also being evaluated.
Confirming the statements of these sources, Trump said on January 12, “We are considering some very strong options,” but did not provide details.
Speaking on the Air Force One plane, Trump said that the Tehran administration wanted to negotiate with him.
Following this statement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi said that they were ready for “serious and real negotiations”.
Speaking during his meeting with foreign ambassadors on January 12, Arakchi said, “We are not looking for war, but we are ready for war.”
According to US sources, Trump will hold a meeting with his national security team at the White House on January 13 to discuss options for Iran.
The US President has previously said the military is considering “very strong options” for intervention if more protesters are killed.
The US administration also called on its citizens in Iran to make a separation plan that would not require the help of the White House.
Source, Reuters
The Iranian administration is trying to give the impression that it is strong by calling its supporters to the streets.
Thousands of people came together in the capital on January 12 at a rally in support of the regime.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said the pro-government demonstrations were “a warning to American politicians to end their deception.”
Khamenei called Monday a “historic day” and said the pro-government demonstrations “frustrated the plans of foreign enemies, which were intended to be carried out by domestic mercenaries.”
‘I believe the Iranian government is living its last days’
While mutual statements are being made by Washington and Tehran, reactions continue to come from the international community.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz argued that he believes Iran’s current administration is “living its last days.”
Speaking on January 13, Merz said, “If a regime can only stay in power by using violence, it is effectively over.”
A spokesman for the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs also noted that they continue their efforts to have the Iranian Revolutionary Guard included in the EU’s “terrorist list”.
The European Union announced that they will review new sanctions against the Iranian government.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola also announced that Iranian diplomatic personnel were banned from entering EP buildings.
China reacted to Trump’s threat of military intervention. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that they “are against the use of force or the threat of use of force” in the international arena.
Making a statement upon the question of journalists, spokesman Mao Ning said, “We have always opposed interference in the internal affairs of other countries, and we believe that the sovereignty and security of all countries should be protected in accordance with international law.”
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that she spoke to her Iranian counterpart on the phone and told them to stop the violence against protesters.
Iranian Foreign Minister Arakchi also announced that he “warned England not to interfere in Iran’s internal affairs” during the meeting.
Source, MAHSA / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images
In the statement made by the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the killing of the protesters was condemned and it was said that “Canada stands with the brave Iranian people.”
Source, The Times
In the latest wave of demonstrations in Iran, Reza Pahlavi, who lives in exile in the USA, also came to the fore.
Some of the protesters demand Pahlavi’s return to Iran.
Pahlavi also calls on the public to continue the protests.
During the protest in front of the Iranian Embassy in London in England over the weekend, the Iranian flag was lowered for a while. A protester climbed to the front line and instead showed the flag used during the Shah’s reign.