Former US President Donald Trump has stated that a substantial fleet is being deployed towards Iran, ready to act should the situation necessitate. He emphasized that the US is closely monitoring developments in the region.
Trump, speaking from his private plane on Thursday evening, reiterated his earlier warning to Tehran, stating that severe consequences would follow if Iran proceeded with planned executions. He asserted that Iran should have agreed to a deal before the potential strike last year. Trump also stated that he would impose a 25% tariff on any entity engaging in commerce with Iran, with these measures to be implemented very soon.
Trump’s remarks follow warnings from Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohammad Pakpour, who stated on Thursday that Tehran has its “finger on the trigger.” This statement comes after public protests that erupted in late December and continued for two weeks.
Pakpour added that Iranian forces are “more alert than ever” and prepared to execute orders from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He also cautioned Israel and the United States against “miscalculations,” urging them to learn from the “experiences of history” and the previous war to avoid a more painful fate.
Brigadier General Ali Abdollahi Abadi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbia headquarters, the central operations center for Iran, warned that in the event of a US attack, “all American interests, bases, and centers of influence will be legitimate targets for the Iranian armed forces.”
Former Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States and Israel of fueling the protests, which he described as a “cowardly revenge… for the defeat in the twelve-day war.”
While the immediate prospect of a US military action against Tehran may have diminished in recent weeks following the conclusion of the protests, the option of military action remains on the table, despite both sides indicating a willingness to afford diplomacy an opportunity.
