*As Trump considers military, diplomatic options
Citizenship News
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi tells Al Jazeera: “If Washington wants to test the military option it has tested before, we are ready for it.”
Tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators take to the streets in a show of force after weeks of deadly protests as Iran continues to be cut off from the internet for a fifth-straight day.
China says it opposes “any illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction” after President Donald Trump says nations doing business with Iran will face a 25 percent tariff on US trade.
More than 100 security personnel have been killed in recent days, Iran’s state media report, while opposition activists say the death toll is higher and includes hundreds of protesters, figures that could not be verified independently.
Hundreds of thousands of pro-government demonstrators had flooded Tehran on Monday in support of the Iranian regime, calling the bluff of the US.
Meanwhile, senior figures in the Trump administration are weighing both diplomatic and military paths on Iran, according to the office of Vice President JD Vance.
“Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio together are presenting a suite of options to the President, ranging from a diplomatic approach to military actions,” said William Martin, Vance’s communications director.
The comments were issued after a Wall Street Journal report suggested that aides led by Vance were urging President Donald Trump to pursue diplomacy before authorising any strikes on Iran.
Martin said that characterisation was inaccurate, adding that the options were being presented “without bias or favour”, as Trump continues to warn Tehran that the United States has “very strong” options available amid ongoing protests. (With Al Jazeera)
