Iran Warns Trump Against Action on Supreme Leader
Iran issued a warning to US President Donald Trump not to take any action against the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This came after Trump called for an end to Khamenei’s nearly 40-year reign, sparking tension between the two nations.
General Abolfazl Shekarchi, a spokesman for Iran’s armed forces, stated, “Trump knows that if any hand of aggression is extended toward our leader, we not only cut that hand but also we will set fire to their world.”
Trump’s remarks about Khamenei in a recent interview with Politico, where he described the Supreme Leader as “a sick man who should run his country properly and stop killing people,” have further escalated the already strained relationship between the US and Iran.
US Navy Deployment in Response to Iranian Protests
Tensions between the US and Iran have been high following a violent crackdown on protests in Iran over the country’s economic issues. In response, the USS Abraham Lincoln, along with three accompanying destroyers, has been deployed towards the Middle East.
While naval officials have not explicitly stated the carrier strike group’s destination, its current heading and location in the Indian Ocean indicate that it is moving closer to the region. This deployment echoes similar actions in recent years, where US naval forces were redirected to address instability in the Middle East.
Death Toll and Unrest in Iran
The death toll from the protests in Iran has risen to at least 4,519 people, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The agency, known for its reliable reporting on Iranian unrest, has highlighted the severity of the situation in the country.
Despite a temporary lull in protests, concerns remain high about the increasing death toll as information slowly emerges from a country under a government-imposed internet shutdown. Khamenei acknowledged the casualties, attributing them to US involvement and signaling a grim outlook for those detained in Iran.
More than 26,300 individuals have been arrested in connection with the protests, raising fears of potential executions in a country known for its high rate of capital punishment. Iranian officials have urged those involved to surrender for leniency, offering a three-day window for individuals to turn themselves in.
Gen. Ahmad Reza Radan, the national police chief, emphasized the importance of surrendering to avoid harsher punishments, hinting at the consequences for those who do not comply. The situation in Iran remains tense, with uncertainties surrounding the fate of those detained and the ongoing unrest in the country.
