In his longest State of the Union yet, Trump framed Iran as an imminent threat, raising the question of whether he was signaling diplomacy or preparing the public for conflict.
Dr. Lynette Nusbacher told The Jerusalem Post that the US prepared for targeted air strikes if Tehran failed to negotiate in good faith, as Iran sought an interim deal to shield its missile program.
The CIA issued a rare public call in Farsi urging Iranian anti-regime protesters to contact the agency securely online, saying it can hear their voices and wants to help.
The Iranian diplomat said any US strike on Iran is "a real gamble," adding that Tehran is ready to reach a deal with Washington as soon as possible.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt made her statements during the buildup to Trump's State of the Union address, scheduled for 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening.
A Tehran revolutionary court has reportedly sentenced Mohammad Abbasi to death on charges of “enmity against god,” a ruling not yet confirmed by Iran’s judiciary or Supreme Court.
Top officials are sometimes as unsure about what Trump might do as the general public, though it's certainly possible that the multifaceted speculation could confuse the Iranians.
The helicopter struck a market stall at 9:09 a.m. local time, killing the pilot, the co-pilot, and two vendors.
As part of its campaign of suppression, Tehran has arrested people in mass, detaining individuals in unofficial facilities where they cannot communicate with the outside world.
The deal for the Chinese‑made CM‑302 missiles is near completion, though no delivery date has been agreed.
US officials expect Tehran to present a comprehensive proposal rather than a document outlining general principles.
