"As Trump takes time to consider diplomatic options, the U.S. military is evacuating troops from Middle East bases and sending reinforcements to the region, including the USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group. While a strike does not appear imminent at the moment, a U.S. source familiar with the situation told Axios that "everyone knows the president keeps his finger over the button.""
"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Trump on Wednesday and asked him to wait to give Israel more time to prepare for possible Iranian retaliation, according to three U.S. sources and one Israeli source. The New York Times first reported on Netanyahu's request. An Israeli source said that in addition to concerns about retaliation, the current U.S. plan includes strikes on security force targets in Iran, but is not seen by Israel as strong or effective enough to meaningfully destabilize the regime."
"Trump has said repeatedly that he will take military action if Iran kills protesters who have participated in a weeks-long uprising against the regime. "HELP IS ON ITS WAY," he wrote Tuesday, urging the Iranian people to "take over" government institutions. Several thousands of protesters are believed to have been killed by the regime's security forces, which have restricted internet and telephone access amid a brutal crackdown."
The U.S. military is evacuating troops from Middle East bases and sending reinforcements, including the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group. A strike does not appear imminent, but U.S. officials warn the president retains decisive authority. Israeli leaders have expressed reservations and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked for more time to prepare for possible Iranian retaliation. Israeli assessments view planned U.S. strikes on security forces as insufficient to destabilize Iran’s regime. President Trump has warned of military action if Iran executes protesters, while reports indicate thousands of protesters have been killed amid internet and telephone restrictions.
#us-military-reinforcements #iranian-protests-and-crackdown #israelus-coordination #trump-foreign-policy
Read at Axios
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