Latest News on Iran Signals Potential of U.S. Involvement
The death toll in Iran has risen to at least 2,400 people as widespread protests engulf the embattled country. What has been the U.S. reaction to the growing unrest in this part of the Middle East? Read on for all of the details as the American government reportedly considers the possibility of military strikes.
Death Toll in Iran Mounts as U.S. Weighs Options
At least 2,400 demonstrators have lost their lives in Iran over the last few weeks, according to an American-based rights group. The protesters are speaking out against the Iranian regime. It is difficult to get a good grasp of the situation due to an internet blackout that has cut off most forms of communication within the country.
The few reports that have made it through paint a picture of a tense atmosphere enveloping the nation. Meanwhile, residents in Tehran are trying to go about their daily routines, despite all of the unrest and tension that is gripping the country.
U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the situation on Wednesday, rebuking rumors that Iran plans to execute some of the demonstrators. Trump refused to say that the U.S. military will not respond to what is happening within Iran's borders. Instead, the president said that the American government is taking a wait-and-see approach.
Fears of U.S. involvement grew on Wednesday after some personnel stationed at a military base in Qatar were urged to evacuate as a precaution. Several other countries are urging their citizens to leave the area. This list includes the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and Saudi Arabia.
Some airlines are avoiding flying through Iranian airspace, raising concerns that strikes are imminent. For example, Air India announced that its flights in the Middle East would be rerouted to avoid Iranian airspace. In addition, German-based airline Lufthansa said that it will only operate flights from Tel Aviv and Amman during the day.
Likewise, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Wednesday evening that Iran’s airspace was closed to all flights with the exception of international civil arrivals and departures. The official closure lasted for two hours and 15 minutes. During this time, flights needed permission from the Iranian Civil Aviation Authority to operate within its airspace.
As of Thursday morning local time, domestic flights in Iran appeared to be resuming service after the shutdown. Several commercial flights were headed for airports in Tehran at this time.
President Trump's Response to Tension in Iran
President Trump took questions from the media on Wednesday from the Oval Office. Trump said that he was told that the executions had stopped in Iran; however, he did not specify who assured him that the killing is over. The comments came just one day after Trump told Iranians that "help is on the way." Trump has been warning Iran about the repercussions of executing protesters.
Some of Trump's staunchest supporters are calling for drastic action. For instance, GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham said that he is pushing Trump to attack the Iranian government as soon as possible. Graham said that an attack on the regime is the only action that would make a difference in ending what he called the "long nightmare" for Iranian citizens.
Amnesty International reported on Wednesday that it has evidence of what the aid group called "unlawful killings” happening in Iran. The group cited eyewitness testimony and video evidence, urging United Nations member states to take action "to deter further bloodshed."
Video footage shows security personnel firing at unarmed protesters and bystanders. The security forces were armed with rifles and shotguns, shooting from rootops of residential housing, mosques, and police stations. Amnesty also said that it was able to verify videos of overflowing morgues, speaking to the severity of the number of people killed.
The official story out of Iran is much different than what is being reported by groups such as Amnesty International. Iran’s foreign minister said that there has been a “misinformation campaign” about what is happening within Iran's borders. Abbas Araghchi appeared on Fox News on Wednesday, telling Bret Baier that the misinformation campaign is being used to bring the U.S. into the conflict. Araghchi defended his country's government, saying that the protests were peaceful.
Other leaders within Iran are blaming the protesters for the millions of dollars of damage. Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani told Iran's state-run Press TV that protesters have inflicted $20 million worth of damage on the capital city. Zakani said that the demonstrators set fire to 89 buses, causing major damage to at least 57 of them. He also said that two city buildings and eight fire trucks were destroyed as a result of the protests.
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