DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Iranian officials have reached out to neighboring Middle Eastern countries over fears of a potential U.S. military strike against Iran. This outreach comes a month after nationwide protests erupted in Iran, which were met with a violent crackdown resulting in numerous casualties.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have expressed that they will not allow their airspace to be used for any military action against Iran. In a show of force, the United States has deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided missile destroyers to the region, which could be utilized for naval strikes. President Donald Trump has imposed two main red lines: the killing of peaceful protesters and the possible mass execution of detainees. Reports from activists indicate that at least 6,221 people have been killed during the protests, with many others feared dead.
Inevitably, the Iranian state-run media, which now brands protesters as "terrorists," remains the primary source of information for many Iranians. This has occurred alongside Tehran’s decision to cut off global internet access three weeks prior. As a result, many Iranians have expressed anger and anxiety regarding the ongoing situation, especially as they witness disturbing footage depicting the violence against protesters and the further decline of the nation's economy.
Reflecting on the unfolding situation, Mohammad Heidari, a 59-year-old high school teacher in Tehran, expressed regret over his generation’s failure to instill a better future for younger Iranians, lamenting, "The result of decades of teaching by my colleagues and me led to the death of thousands."
In recent diplomatic efforts, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry reported that its top diplomat, Badr Abdelatty, engaged in discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff to promote peace and stability in the region. Araghchi indicated that third-party mediators have been involved in these discussions, while Witkoff has prior experience negotiating on Iran's nuclear program. However, there has been no official confirmation from the White House regarding these communications.
Additionally, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman communicated with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, reaffirming that Saudi Arabia would not permit its airspace or territory to serve as a launchpad for military actions against Iran. Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE host American military personnel and assets. The U.S. military’s primary base in the region, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, serves as the forward operating headquarters for U.S. Central Command. Reports suggest that both Araghchi and Iranian security official Ali Larijani spoke with Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani about the escalating tensions, although details of those conversations remain scarce.
Despite the protests currently being suppressed, activists are still able to gather information through Starlink satellite dishes, exposing the extent of the violence. The Human Rights Activists News Agency, based in the U.S., reported that the death toll in recent protests has reached at least 6,221, including 5,858 demonstrators, 214 members of government-affiliated forces, 100 minors, and 49 civilians not participating in protests. The organization documents each fatality and arrest through a network of contacts in Iran. However, The Associated Press has faced challenges in independently verifying these numbers due to restricted internet access and disrupted communication within Iran.
The Iranian government has reported a significantly lower death toll of 3,117, asserting that 2,427 were civilians or security forces, while categorizing others as "terrorists." Overall, the toll has surpassed that of prior protests and unrest in Iran over the decades, reminiscent of the tumultuous events surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The protests initially ignited on December 28, 2022, following the plummeting value of the Iranian currency, the rial. They swiftly spread throughout the country, leading to a crackdown that is only becoming apparent as the nation has experienced the most extensive internet blackout in its history for over two weeks.
