President Donald Trump announced he is cutting off talks with Iranian officials as the death toll from anti-government protests in the country surpasses 2,000, according to human rights monitors.The president was expected to discuss the situation with his national security team on Tuesday evening. He told reporters that he is expecting an updated report on the number of protesters who have been killed, as an internet blackout has complicated efforts to track fatalities. Trump didn’t provide specifics on next steps but assured Iranian protesters that “help is on its way.””To all Iranian patriots, keep protesting, take over your institutions if possible,” Trump said during a speech in Detroit on Tuesday. “I’ve cancelled all meetings with the Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters stops, and all I say to them is help is on its way.”The comments mark a potentially significant shift in the Trump administration’s posture.The White House previously left the door open for diplomatic talks with Iran, but has repeatedly warned of potential military action to protect peaceful protesters.CSIS Middle East Program Director Mona Yacoubian said possible options range from targeted strikes on Iranian weapons and economic sites to taking out the country’s supreme leader. Yacoubian thinks the latter is highly unlikely, despite the Trump administration’s recent capture of Venezuela’s Nicholas Maduro. “I do not see the U.S. undertaking a major regime change operation in Iran, which would require boots on the ground and would be a far more extensive, open-ended military intervention,” Yacoubian said.Supporters of military intervention argue it’s a chance to further degrade Iran’s theocratic regime, which is already in a weakened state. Critics say it could lead to unintended consequences and destabilize the region.Iran has warned that the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if the Trump administration uses force.”My guess is that what Iran will seek to do would be symbolic and seek to minimize US casualties so as not to embark on an escalatory cycle with the United States, which it would absolutely lose,” Yacoubian said.Asked about the possibility of Iranian retaliation, Trump referenced last year’s bombing of the country’s nuclear facilities.”Iran said that the last time. They better behave,” Trump said.More from the Washington Bureau:
President Donald Trump announced he is cutting off talks with Iranian officials as the death toll from anti-government protests in the country surpasses 2,000, according to human rights monitors.
The president was expected to discuss the situation with his national security team on Tuesday evening. He told reporters that he is expecting an updated report on the number of protesters who have been killed, as an internet blackout has complicated efforts to track fatalities.
Trump didn’t provide specifics on next steps but assured Iranian protesters that “help is on its way.”
“To all Iranian patriots, keep protesting, take over your institutions if possible,” Trump said during a speech in Detroit on Tuesday. “I’ve cancelled all meetings with the Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters stops, and all I say to them is help is on its way.”
The comments mark a potentially significant shift in the Trump administration’s posture.
The White House previously left the door open for diplomatic talks with Iran, but has repeatedly warned of potential military action to protect peaceful protesters.
CSIS Middle East Program Director Mona Yacoubian said possible options range from targeted strikes on Iranian weapons and economic sites to taking out the country’s supreme leader. Yacoubian thinks the latter is highly unlikely, despite the Trump administration’s recent capture of Venezuela’s Nicholas Maduro.
“I do not see the U.S. undertaking a major regime change operation in Iran, which would require boots on the ground and would be a far more extensive, open-ended military intervention,” Yacoubian said.
Supporters of military intervention argue it’s a chance to further degrade Iran’s theocratic regime, which is already in a weakened state. Critics say it could lead to unintended consequences and destabilize the region.
Iran has warned that the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if the Trump administration uses force.
“My guess is that what Iran will seek to do would be symbolic and seek to minimize US casualties so as not to embark on an escalatory cycle with the United States, which it would absolutely lose,” Yacoubian said.
Asked about the possibility of Iranian retaliation, Trump referenced last year’s bombing of the country’s nuclear facilities.
“Iran said that the last time. They better behave,” Trump said.
More from the Washington Bureau: