DONALD Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, saying the US is ready to strike if necessary.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, the President said the US had deployed overwhelming military power to the region.
Donald Trump gave Iran a clear warning that they are watching their every moveCredit: Getty
This comes after weeks of protests which have resulted in the deaths of thousands of protestorsCredit: Reuters
“We have an armada. And maybe we won’t have to use it. We will see.” Trump said.
In a separate remark, he added: “We have a big flotilla going in that direction, and we’ll see what happens.
“We have a big force going toward Iran. I’d rather not see anything happen – but we are watching them very closely.”
These comments come as Iran’s Islamist regime continues its violent crackdown on demonstrators, with security forces killing thousands of protestors after weeks of nationwide unrest.
At one point, after Trump promised protestors “help is on the way”.
However, the White House relented after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced: “There is no plan for hanging at all – hanging is out of the question.”
Trump backed down soon after, revealing he had received assurances that “killing in Iran is stopping”.
Flash forward to today and Trump reiterated this claim: “I stopped 837 hangings on Thursday. They would have been hung.”
Despite this seemingly positive news, Iranian sources have continued to warn that thousands of prisoners are still in danger.
An Iranian refugee in contact with protestors told The Sun: “The regime is buying time by lying to Trump and they will do what they want once he loses focus.
“People are pleased that there have been no executions so far but that could change very quickly.”
While Trump and the US had not yet launched missiles at Iran, the president opted to flex his economic muscle instead.
On January 12, he announced that “effective immediately,” on all trade with the United States.
This is not the first time Trump has used tariffs to achieve foreign policy goals.
Protests were initially in response to a worsening cost of living situationCredit: Reuters
After taking on broader significance, demonstrators now demand regime changeCredit: AFP
He made similar moves against Venezuela when going in and out of the South American country.
Despite Trump’s preference for economic leverage, experts say military action against Iran remains a possibility.
Thousands of demonstrators have died since protests erupted in December.
Iranian state media reports the official death toll at 3,117.
However, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) puts the figure at 4,519, including 35 people under 18.
HRANA also said an additional 9,094 deaths are still under review.
Some fear the true number could be .
Commenting today on the death toll, Trump said: “Well, nobody knows the number. I mean, it’s a lot no matter what.
“But there’s a difference between a lot and 20,000 people. So we’ll find out what it is. We’re going to find out exactly what it is.”
Much of the confusion stems from a near-total internet blackout, which critics say has plunged Iran into permanent “.”
The Islamic Republic is reportedly shifting from mass censorship toward a sealed national intranet accessible only to those with security clearance.
The current blackout is the longest in Iran’s history, and analysts suggest it may be aimed at concealing the true scale of the crackdown.
The protests originally began over soaring inflation and the collapse of the rial but have since grown to include broader demands for political change.
Grainy footage shows dozens of body bags as families queue to identify the remains of loved ones.
Many demonstrators were shot at close range with live ammunition or air guns.
More than 10,000 people have been arrested in what is Iran’s largest protest movement since 2009.
The regime has met protestors with untold violence, killing demonstrators in their thousandsCredit: AFP
Experts fear the death toll may be as high as 20,000Credit: Reuters
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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