Tehran, Iran – Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced on Wednesday its readiness to respond “decisively” to Israel and the United States. This comes amid escalating regional tensions due to internal protests in Iran.
Iranian state television quoted Revolutionary Guard commander Mohammad Pakpour as saying, “The brutal crimes committed by mercenaries will not be forgotten, and a response will be given in due course.” He accused US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being responsible for “killing Iran’s youth” and threatening the country’s security. He added that the Revolutionary Guard is “fully prepared to respond decisively to the miscalculations of the enemy and its internal mercenaries and agents.” He emphasized that “the unity of the Iranian people will thwart the delusional plots of the rulers of the White House and Tel Aviv against Iran.”
This announcement coincided with the United States beginning, on Wednesday, the evacuation of an unspecified number of non-essential personnel from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. In a move reflecting escalating tensions with Tehran, the US president is considering potential military options in light of the protests inside Iran.
The New York Times quoted US officials as saying that the Department of Defense decided to move some personnel from the base “because of the heightened tensions resulting from the Iranian government’s crackdown on protesters.” Among the options under consideration are military strikes against Iran’s nuclear program or ballistic missile sites. Additionally, alternatives such as cyberattacks or targeting Iranian internal security services are also being considered.
For its part, Qatar asserted that “such measures come amid the tensions the region is witnessing.” Meanwhile, a social media post by the US president sparked expressions of support for Iranian protesters. It also hinted at the possibility of imminent US intervention.
These developments come amid fears of a military escalation in the region. The international community is also closely monitoring any further steps from Tehran or Washington in the coming days.
