Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, Jan 16: As nationwide protests continue to intensify in Iran, US President Donald Trump has paused plans for a possible military strike against the country, amid warnings from advisers and regional allies that any attack could spark a wider and uncontrollable conflict in West Asia.
Trump reportedly spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who urged him to “be careful” in view of the rapidly escalating tensions. Senior US advisers are said to have cautioned the President that airstrikes would “not topple Iran’s government” and could instead lead to a prolonged regional war.
Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman launched last-minute diplomatic efforts, urging Trump to give Iran “a chance” and avoid a conflict that could destabilise the entire region.
Earlier, Trump had issued a stern warning to Tehran, saying there would be “consequences” if Iran continued violent actions against its own citizens. He said Iran “better behave” and announced that any country doing business with the Islamic Republic would face a 25 per cent tariff on all trade with the United States.
Iran has been witnessing sustained protests since late December, triggered by economic distress and political grievances. The unrest has drawn mixed international reactions, with some governments expressing concern over alleged foreign-instigated riots, while others have accused Iranian authorities of using excessive force against demonstrators.
Amid the heightened tensions, Iran briefly shut its airspace to commercial flights early Thursday without providing an explanation. The closure, which lasted for more than four hours, disrupted a major East-West aviation corridor, forcing international carriers to divert north and south of Iranian airspace. After one extension, the restriction was lifted and several domestic flights resumed operations shortly after 7 am.
Speculation over possible US military action has continued, with Trump making a series of vague remarks on Wednesday that left Washington’s next steps unclear. He told reporters he had been informed that plans for executions in Iran had been halted, though he did not provide further details. The comments came a day after Trump told Iranian protesters that “help is on the way” and that his administration would respond to Tehran’s deadly crackdown.
However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi dismissed claims of executions, saying there was “no plan” to hang people. “There is no plan for hanging at all. Hanging is out of the question,” Araqchi said in an interview with Fox News.
Meanwhile, the US has intensified economic pressure on Tehran. On Thursday, Washington announced a fresh round of sanctions against Iranian officials accused of repressing the protests. The Treasury Department said those targeted include the secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security, whom it accused of being among the first to call for violence against protesters. In total, 18 individuals and entities were designated under the new sanctions.
Despite the pause in strike plans, the White House said Trump is keeping “all options on the table” as the administration debates how to respond to Iran’s actions. Lawmakers from both parties have urged caution, warning that military intervention could dramatically escalate the crisis and further destabilise the region.