Along with the rest of Israel, I have been tracking the situation in Iran, holding on to the hope that the regime might fall and the world might change. What this would mean for us is enormous: Not only would the threat of Iranian missiles be gone, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis would lose their patronage and support.
Prospects for this to happen have been looking reasonably good: The protesting crowds in the street have grown with each day and there are millions in the street. Government buildings have been set on fire.
But they’re not there yet: there have been no defections among the leadership of the army or the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, which would shift the situation against the regime.
The regime has shut down the Internet, so that accurate information about the situation is difficult to acquire. Official figures estimate 500 killed but it is likely 2,000 or more.
While the Mossad is inside of Iran and lending assistance as it can, Israel is not contemplating an attack on Iran now. Concern has been expressed that the regime would attempt to utilize such an attack to shift the attention of the mobs away from them to anger against the Zionists. There may be a risk in this regard, but the people do not hate Israel.
In any event, Israel is on high alert: Iran has threatened that if the US attacks, Israel will be attacked. This is how we live: going about our business, but with this prospect hanging over us. There is an uncertainty, a heaviness, that is inevitable in this situation, mingled with the hope.
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I have hesitated to post over the last couple of days because of a sense that matters were moving so quickly that by the time my readers read my posting the situation would likely have shifted.
But now I am moved to put this out.
The last time I wrote, I focused on Trump – the “new” Trump who acted with determination in Venezuela. The Trump who showed that he can move past threats to action without chickening out.
At that time I suggested that recognition on the part of the Iranian regime that Trump might actually act against them and not just threaten might have an effect on decisions made by the ayatollahs.
We have yet to see this. True to form, Trump is making major threats against the regime, but he has not acted. Not yet. He still might. Yesterday (Sunday) this report showed up on Arutz Sheva:
“Axios reported earlier on Sunday, citing two US officials, that Trump is examining a range of possible steps to support the ongoing protests in Iran and apply pressure on the Iranian regime.
“The report said discussions inside the Trump administration are taking place as demonstrations continue to spread across Iran and reports emerge of a rising death toll. Trump has publicly warned that the United States could use military force if the regime carries out mass killings of protesters.
“The report followed one in the New York Times on Saturday night, which said that Trump has in recent days been briefed on new military strike options against Iran, as he weighs whether to follow through on his threat to respond to the regime’s violent crackdown on protesters.” (Emphasis added)
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420730
“whether to follow through on his threat” Has he reverted back to the “old” Trump, the TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out) Trump?
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Today we see this:
“US President Donald Trump said on Sunday night that the US is watching Iran closely and weighing possible responses as unrest in the country grows.
“Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump stated that Iran is starting to cross his red line.
“’There seems to be some people killed that aren’t supposed to be killed. We are looking at it very seriously, the military is looking at it and we’re looking at some very strong options,’ he added, noting that he is receiving reports on the Iranian protests every hour.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420750
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And here is the clincher, my friends:
“The President also revealed that Iran reached out to the US on Saturday and proposed holding talks on a nuclear deal. ‘We may meet them,’ he added.”
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What he is referring to is the fact that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (pictured) contacted envoy Steve Witkoff over the weekend, as tensions rose following President Trump’s warnings of possible military action against the Iranian regime.
“The report cited two sources familiar with the matter who said the outreach appeared aimed at easing tensions with the US or delaying potential steps by Washington to further weaken the regime.“
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420793
“appeared aimed at easing tensions” We don’t need “two sources” to figure this out. That is obviously the case. The fact that Steve Witkoff is involved here, however, is not reassuring. I make no secret of the fact that I believe the man knows nothing.
But what of Trump himself? It is common knowledge that he prefers “deals.” The ayatollahs are devious in the extreme, but not stupid. The fact that they made this offer now exposes their weakness – and, yes, their fear that Trump might act. Aware of his predilections, they are attempting to play him.
But to suggest that he “may” meet with representatives of the violently repressive regime in Iran in the midst of a huge uprising that seeks to bring them down rather boggles the mind.
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It can be argued that Trump should not have even mentioned their offer: should not have given them any credibility and certainly not have done anything to shift the focus. If he is considering meeting with them – seriously?! – it might be an indication that he is leaning towards not attacking. Iran would have deflected him.
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But wait! For there is another way to read this: Maybe Trump wanted to mention this possibility. Maybe he knows exactly what he is doing and is seeking to lend a particular impression. It becomes a question of who is playing whom.
More soon.
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Please, pray for all of Am Yisrael: for the wisdom and courage of our leaders and the strength of our people. Pray as well for American strength and the end of the regime in Iran.
©Arlene Kushner. This material is produced by independent journalist Arlene Kushner. Permission is granted for it to be reproduced only with proper attribution.
