The threat couldn’t have been clearer. The US State Department warned the regime in Iran in Persian: “Don’t play games with President Trump. When he announces something, he means it.” The US President’s announcements were clear: “We will hit them very hard,” Trump said. “Where it hurts.”
Iranians have been demonstrating for weeks, initially because of the currency collapse, but now against the regime as a whole. And this is hitting back mercilessly; there are already thousands of deaths. Trump explained that USA “stand ready to help.” But what exactly is unclear. With a military operation? A regime change? Or would it just be symbolic support, a threatening backdrop for rescheduled negotiations? Europe is also looking for its own line, albeit with limited options. Would sanctions be conceivable? Classifying the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group? What options remain – and what risks they pose.
