The United States announced on Monday the arrival of a naval strike group led by an aircraft carrier in the Middle East, following President Donald Trump’s threats of intervention amid protests in Iran, while Tehran warned it is ready to respond to any U.S. attack.
اضافة اعلان
Meanwhile, a U.S.-based rights organization reported Monday that approximately 6,000 people have been killed during the crackdown on protests in Iran, warning that the toll could be higher.
The protests, which began in late December over economic hardships, have evolved into a political movement against the authorities, particularly Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Initially limited to small and medium-sized towns, the demonstrations expanded after 8 January, becoming one of the most significant challenges to the Islamic Republic since 1979.
Human rights organizations have accused Iranian authorities of using violence and direct gunfire against protesters amid an unprecedented 18-day internet blackout.
Trump had previously threatened military intervention, stating last week that Washington would send a “massive fleet… in case of emergency.”
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) posted on X that the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its accompanying vessels “are currently deployed in the Middle East to enhance regional security and stability.”
Trump expressed satisfaction in an interview with Axios on Monday over the presence of “a large U.S. fleet near Iran.” He added, after confirming last week that Washington is closely monitoring Tehran, “They want to reach an agreement. I know that. They want to talk.”
The deployment of the carrier strike group significantly boosts U.S. firepower in the region. The U.S. previously supported and participated in a 12-day Israeli war against Iran in June. While Trump appeared to step back from his military threats last week, he did not rule out the option.
Iran’s Response
Iran’s Foreign Ministry warned Monday of a “comprehensive response that will bring regret to any aggression,” with spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei affirming confidence in the country’s defensive capabilities.
Referring to the U.S. carrier, he said: “The arrival of such a ship will not affect Iran’s determination or seriousness in defending the Iranian nation.”
A senior Iranian military official told state television that “mobilizing forces and equipment from outside the region… will not act as a deterrent but will instead expose them as easy targets.”
In central Tehran’s Enghelab Square, a new anti-U.S. billboard appeared depicting a U.S. aircraft carrier being destroyed, accompanied by the English phrase: “If you sow the wind, you will reap the storm.”
The official IRNA news agency quoted Navy Commander Shahram Irani as saying Monday that “the Iranian navy is not only defensive but also serves as an anchor for regional stability.” (AFP)
