On Iran, Donald Trump "always considers all options open and air strikes are one of the many, many options available to the 'commander-in-chief'" .
The White House spokeswoman reiterated this when speaking to reporters. "Diplomacy is always the president's first option. But he has demonstrated that he's not afraid to resort to military options when he deems it necessary, and no one knows this better than Iran ," Leavitt added.
According to the latest update from the Norway-based non-governmental organization Iran Human Rights, at least 648 protesters have died since December 28 , the day protests began in various parts of the country. According to the NGO, nine minors were among the dead, while thousands were injured . In a statement on its website, Iran Human Rights estimates that more than 10,000 people have been arrested , but the near-total internet shutdown in effect since January 8 makes it difficult to obtain more precise figures.
Meanwhile, Russia defends the ayatollahs and condemns "attempts to interfere in Iran's internal affairs." This was stated by the Secretary of the Russian National Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, who in a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Ali Larijani, "agreed to continue contacts and coordinate their positions to ensure security."
(Unioneonline)
