US President Donald Trump escalated his tone towards Iran, stressing that the United States, in cooperation with Israel, continues to destroy Iranian military capabilities at an accelerating pace, while calling on Iranian security forces to give up their weapons and join the people.
Trump urges Iranian officials to defect and form a “new Iran”
Trump said that Washington seeks to ensure that any future leader of Iran does not pose a threat to its neighbors or to the United States, calling on members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, army and police to lay down their weapons, warning that they “will face nothing but death” if they continue to fight.
He also called on Iran’s security forces to stand by the people and help “restore the country,” noting the United States’ readiness to grant immunity to whoever chooses what he described as “standing on the right side of history.”
The US President urged Iranian diplomats around the world to seek asylum and participate in shaping a “new and better Iran,” in reference to Washington’s desire to bring about political change within the country.
Trump confirmed that American forces, in cooperation with Israel, continue to target and destroy Iranian missiles and drones, stressing that military operations are proceeding at a faster pace than planned and at unprecedented levels.
In a related context, the US House of Representatives refused, by a majority of 219 votes, to pass a bill prohibiting further strikes on Iran without the approval of Congress, which gives the US administration more room to continue military operations.
Trump also indicated that the United States is working to take measures soon to reduce pressure on oil markets, stressing that Washington had no choice but to strike Iran, as he put it.
