Washington, January 13 – President Donald Trump today did not rule out taking action in Iran's internal conflict, and in the current tense situation, his administration urged U.S. citizens to leave the Islamic Republic.
A security alert from the U.S. virtual embassy for Iran recommended that they "leave now" and have an evacuation plan that "does not depend on U.S. government assistance."
Trying to use tariffs as a political pressure tool, Trump warned on Monday via his Truth Social account that any country doing business with Iran will pay a 25 percent tariff on all business they conduct with the United States.
"The order on this matter is definitive and effective immediately," stated the Republican president regarding a measure related to the protests that have shaken the Persian nation for several days.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the president does not rule out ordering airstrikes against Iran, "one of many options on the table for the commander-in-chief."
In remarks to reporters on Sunday, Trump emphasized that in Iran "they govern through violence, but we are seriously considering it; the military is analyzing it. And we are considering some very strong options."
Regarding military bases, he said, "If they do that (attack them), we will consider things you wouldn’t believe. If they do that, we will hit them in ways they have never suffered before," he indicated.
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf previously called Trump "delusional." Issuing a direct warning, he said: "To avoid miscalculations, understand that if you decide to attack Iran, both the occupied territories and all U.S. military centers, bases, and ships in the region will be legitimate targets."
Iran has been experiencing over a week of protests. Authorities there blame the economic crisis they are undergoing on punitive measures imposed by successive U.S. administrations.
Trump threatens to intervene in the internal conflict. "Iran is looking toward FREEDOM, perhaps like never before," he wrote on Saturday on his online platform. "The United States is ready to help!" he added.
In June, Trump decided to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities, which at the time placed the United States at the center of the latest conflict triggered in the Middle East, one of the most volatile regions in the world.
