Commander of US Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper N. Prabhakaran Dubai: As tensions in Persia escalate by the minute, Admiral Brad Cooper...
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| Commander of US Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper |
N. Prabhakaran
Dubai: As tensions in Persia escalate by the minute, Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of US Central Command, arrived in Israel on Saturday to meet with senior officials. It is believed that Cooper's visit is intended for discussions and preparations to coordinate an attack with Israel in the event of a confrontation.
Neither the US nor Israel has officially commented on Cooper's visit. Meanwhile, US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also arrived in Israel on Saturday and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It is understood that they primarily discussed the Gaza issue.
Donald Trump had previously threatened military action against Iran if they massacred prisoners or killed peaceful protesters. However, Trump later mentioned that he was holding off on an attack for the time being because Iran had stayed the execution of 800 protesters. This claim by Trump was subsequently denied by Iran's Chief Prosecutor.
Trump responded to this denial while speaking to reporters on Air Force One. He stated that if the Iranian government proceeds with the executions, there will be a military response so powerful that it will make last year's US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites look "minor." He added that a fleet of warships is being sent toward Iran, though he hopes they won't have to be used.
Currently, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and three destroyers are in the Indian Ocean and are expected to reach Iranian waters within days. Reports suggest another aircraft carrier, the USS George H.W. Bush, may move from Norfolk toward the Middle East. Additionally, F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft have been deployed at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
USS George H.W. Bush
'High Alert in Iran'
Following the US military movements, Iran has placed its military on high alert. A senior Iranian official stated that any type of attack would be considered a "full-scale war."
"If America violates Iran's sovereignty, we will retaliate in the strongest possible way. Our military is prepared for the worst-case scenario. That is why everything in Iran is on high alert," he said.
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned that Israel is waiting for an opportunity to attack Iran. He added that such a move would further destabilize the region.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that they are "ready for anything with their fingers on the trigger" as US warships move toward the Middle East.
Nour News, which has close ties to Iran's Supreme National Security Council, reported the warning from IRGC Commander General Mohammad Pakpour. He warned the US and Israel not to make "miscalculations."
IRGC Commander General Mohammad Pakpour
"The Islamic Revolutionary Guard and our beloved Iran are more prepared than ever. We are waiting with our fingers on the trigger to execute the orders of the Commander-in-Chief," Nour News quoted Pakpour as saying.
Human rights activists reported that the death toll in the massive popular protests—which began on December 28 following the devaluation of the Iranian Rial and lasted for about two weeks—exceeded 5,000 as of Friday. Among the dead are 43 children.
With a complete internet shutdown in the country entering its second week, there are fears that the actual death toll could be much higher. Information is difficult to relay to the outside world due to the internet blackout imposed since January 8. Reports also indicate that at least 27,000 people are in custody.
Total Detained: Over 26,800 people.
The Iranian government released its first figures, stating 3,117 people were killed. They claim the majority were civilians and security personnel, while the rest were "terrorists."
The Iranian Consul General in Mumbai, Sayed Reza Mosaeb Motlagh, alleged that the protests in Iran were orchestrated by foreign intelligence agencies. He claimed that security forces had to intervene only after "terrorists" started violence after January 8.
He denied reports that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei is hiding in a bunker. Motlagh clarified that while Khamenei is conducting meetings via video conferencing for security reasons, he is not in hiding. He also assured that economic and friendly relations with India would continue despite sanctions and that Indians in Iran are safe.
Iran tested its first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile?
In the midst of this, Iran claimed to have tested its first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the East Coast of the United States. Reports suggest the missile, which has a range of approximately 10,000 kilometers, was tested toward the Siberian Sea. It is also alleged that the test used Russian airspace with their permission.
While Iran initially relied on Libya and North Korea for missile technology, it later shifted to developing indigenous technology. Iranian Majlis member Mohsen Zanganeh stated, "One of the country's most sophisticated missiles was tested last night and it was successful." Revolutionary Guard sources claimed the test is a testament to Iran's commitment to self-reliance in defense technology. However, these claims have not been independently verified by Western media.
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