National Times Bureau :- As hostilities escalate between Iran and the United States, reports indicate that President Donald Trump received a WhatsApp message delivered by his envoy Steve Witkoff, containing communications from Iran’s Foreign Minister and President. The message reportedly urged Trump to delay any potential military action. Meanwhile, in central Tehran Square, Iranian authorities unveiled a large mural directly warning the United States against attempting an attack.
The mural depicts a US aircraft carrier surrounded by damaged and exploding fighter jets. Bodies litter the deck, and blood trails into the sea below, forming the stripes of the American flag. A warning slogan reads: “If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind.”
These developments follow Trump’s announcement of deploying naval warships closer to the region, signaling readiness to take action if deemed necessary.
Human Cost of Domestic Crackdown
Confidential documents obtained by Iran International reveal that more than 36,500 Iranians were killed during the government crackdown on protests between January 8-9. The unrest began in late December, triggered by economic difficulties and the sharp devaluation of the national currency, the Rial.
Authorities responded by imposing an internet blackout nationwide and moving decisively against protestors. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has reported over 41,280 arrests linked to the protests, with expectations that these numbers will continue to rise. Iranian judiciary officials have issued stern warnings that organizers and participants of anti-Khamenei demonstrations could face severe punishment without leniency.
Security forces have reportedly targeted doctors and aid workers who treated injured demonstrators. The Norway-based rights organization Iran Human Rights stated that raids were conducted on private homes, clinics, and temporary medical shelters, aiming to intimidate the medical community and hinder care for victims of the protests.
US Military Movements and Leadership Response in Iran
The US Navy has moved a fleet, including the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and supporting warships, closer to Iranian waters amid heightened tensions. The carrier, which arrived in the Middle East on Sunday evening, positions the US fleet near Iran, according to Israel’s Channel 13.
In response, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly relocated to a fortified underground shelter in Tehran due to concerns of a potential US attack. Sources indicate that his third son, Masoud Khamenei, has assumed day-to-day management of the Supreme Leader’s office and acts as the primary liaison with Iran’s executive branches.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Iran for the violent suppression of protests and warned that US military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities would be severe, describing them as far more impactful than expected.
Conclusion
The ongoing crisis highlights the dual pressures Iran faces: internal unrest with a staggering death toll and escalating external threats from US military positioning. With diplomatic communications, visible public warnings, and security preparations, tensions between Tehran and Washington remain at a dangerously high level, leaving the international community closely monitoring the situation.
