On Monday, Trump noted that the situation with Iran remains tense, but did not disclose possible actions Washington might take regarding the Islamic Republic. According to information published by Axios and based on data from administration officials, the president does not rule out a military strike on Iran, despite the fact that protests within the country are, in the view of U.S. authorities, "mostly suppressed."
The U.S. Navy's Central Command confirmed that the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln has arrived in the Indian Ocean, within its area of responsibility. According to The New York Times, this aircraft carrier may be ready to strike Iran at short notice.
Protests in Iran began in late December against the backdrop of a decline in the national currency's value. Since January 8, following calls from Reza Pahlavi—the son of the ousted Shah in 1979—the protests have become more widespread, and the internet in the country was temporarily shut down. As a result, protests in several cities escalated into clashes with law enforcement and were accompanied by anti-political slogans. There were reports of casualties on both sides.
On January 12, Iranian authorities reported that the situation had been brought under control, and two days later announced the end of the protests. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian promised to continue economic reforms, placing the blame for the unrest on the U.S. and Israel.
In response to these events, Trump threatened to strike Iran if security forces opened fire on protesters. On the night of January 22, Tehran closed its airspace in anticipation of possible attacks from the U.S.
Iranian authorities, for their part, expressed readiness for negotiations, emphasizing that the country is fully prepared to defend itself if necessary.
