Tensions between the United States and Iran may be easing as the two countries prepare to resume talks on the nuclear deal in Turkey later this week, Reuters reported, citing officials from both countries.
Iran’s leadership is concerned that another round of angry protests on the streets of the Islamic Republic will pose a major threat to the current government.It comes amid US President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to send warships to Iran and calls for them to make a deal, and Tehran’s leadership not shying away from a potential military confrontation, which the Islamic Republic has said would escalate into a “regional war”.
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Key Updates on Iran-US Tensions-Reza Pahlavi calls for global protests: Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi called on Iranians abroad and “liberation-seeking people around the world” to “take to the streets and force the international community to take urgent, practical action in support of the Iranian people” on February 14, a ‘Global Day of Action’ in solidarity with Iran’s Lion-and-Son. He listed Munich, Los Angeles and Toronto as the main rallying points and called on those unable to travel to join the protests in their own cities.
Reza Pahlavi’s six demands with protest: He also outlined six demands of the protests: 1. Breaking the regime’s repression and protecting the Iranian people, 2. Completely cutting off the regime’s financial lifeline, 3. Ensuring free internet and communications for the Iranian people, 4. Expelling the regime’s “diplomats” and prosecuting its political criminals, 5. Preparing for the political liberation of. A legitimate interim government to lead Iran to democracy.
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UAE official says ‘Iran must strike a deal with US’: Ahead of scheduled talks between Iran and the United States, a senior UAE official stressed on Tuesday that it was important for Iran to reach a deal with the United States. “Iran must reach an agreement today” and “reconstruct its relationship with the United States”, said Anwar Gargash, adviser to the UAE president, during the World Government Summit in Dubai. “I would like to see direct Iranian-American talks that lead to an understanding so that we don’t have these problems every day,” he added, quoted by news agency AFP.
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‘The Middle East needs no more conflict’: Anwar Gargash also said that the Middle East has seen enough and does not need another conflict, as tensions between Iran and the United States appear to be de-escalating. “I think the region has gone through several catastrophic conflicts. I don’t think we need another one,” he said.
Fears of angry protests in Iran: Iran’s leadership is concerned that if another round of angry protests erupts on the streets of the Islamic Republic, it will pose a major threat to the current government, especially combined with attacks by Iran’s enemies, Reuters reported, citing six current and former officials. Four current officials briefed on the talks told Reuters that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had been told at a high-level meeting that public anger over the bloody crackdown on recent protests was growing and that people were ready to confront security forces in Tehran. One official said that’s what Tehran’s enemies want – more protests to cripple the country and which will “unfortunately” lead to more violence. “An attack coupled with protests by angry people could lead to the collapse (of the regime). That is the main concern among the top brass and that is what our enemies want,” said an official on condition of anonymity. However, it is not yet known how Khamenei reacted to the meeting.
(with input from Reuters)
