Iran has heightened its security measures following the postponement of US air strikes due to concerns regarding their potential success. Leaders are reportedly in hiding, with security forces and police on high alert for additional protests after President Trump’s warning of a possible attack in response to Tehran’s threat to execute detained opposition figures.
The decision to delay the mission is believed to have stemmed from worries that the strikes might not effectively support the anti-government demonstrations. However, the option for an attack remains on the table pending more intelligence from within Iran.
A source from a western security agency expressed doubts about the feasibility of pinpointing the right targets amid the heavy surveillance in cities like Tehran. Emphasis was placed on avoiding civilian casualties to prevent the regime from using such incidents to its advantage.
The UN Security Council has called for an emergency meeting to address the deadly protests in Iran, prompted by a request from the United States. Tehran has made conciliatory gestures to ease tensions after Trump’s threat of intervention to halt further violence against protesters.
The death toll from Iran’s recent crackdown on nationwide protests stands at a staggering 2,615, as reported by the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. This figure surpasses the casualties from any previous unrest in Iran in decades, reminiscent of the turmoil during the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Amid concerns over potential retaliation, Israel has heightened its alert status, fearing an Iranian response that could involve Lebanese Hezbollah targeting northern regions. Several military bases, including those in Qatar, have witnessed evacuations, and the US Embassy in Kuwait has advised personnel to suspend travel to these locations temporarily.
International leaders, including foreign ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the EU, have expressed grave concerns over the situation in Iran. They strongly condemn the Iranian authorities’ harsh crackdown on protesters and call for an end to the violence.
In response to the escalating tensions, Europe’s largest airline group has announced the suspension of night flights to and from Tel Aviv and Amman for five days. Lufthansa and its subsidiaries will operate flights only during daytime hours from Thursday through Monday due to the current unrest in the Middle East.