Washington, DC – White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said that US President Donald Trump is closely monitoring developments in Iran. She confirmed that all options remain on the table given the ongoing “killings and repression” carried out by Iranian authorities against protesters.
Leavitt added that the Trump administration has made it clear to Tehran that continued killings will have “serious consequences.” She also indicated that the US president and his national security team are closely following events on the ground in Iran. She explained that Trump issued a direct warning to the Iranian regime. Furthermore, messages received by Washington in recent hours indicate a suspension of killings and executions, including a halt to the execution of approximately 800 people who were scheduled to be put to death.
In a related development, the US Treasury Department announced a new round of sanctions against the Islamic Republic. The sanctions target 11 individuals and 13 entities for their role in suppressing popular protests within Iran. The Treasury Department asserted that the sanctions are part of ongoing pressure on those responsible for gross human rights violations.
Internationally, the rotating president of the UN Security Council announced that the Council will convene today, Thursday, to discuss developments in Iran, amid escalating international calls for action regarding the situation there.
In the United States, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham denied reports that Trump was hesitant to launch a military strike against Iran. He described the reports as “completely inaccurate,” asserting that the reality was “quite the opposite.” He also urged caution in anticipating further developments.
German MEP Hannah Neumann indicated that France, Italy, and Spain were blocking the inclusion of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the EU’s list of terrorist organizations.
Meanwhile, the internet monitoring organization NetBlocks reported that Iran experienced a complete “digital blackout” a week prior. This followed a total internet shutdown by authorities, an attempt to restrict the flow of information as protests continued.
