IDF ‘on alert’ for US strikes on Iran as protest death toll rises

Iran has stated that, should the US strike, both American military bases in the region and Israel in its entirety would be considered "legitimate targets" for retaliation.

IDF spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said the protests in Iran were an "internal matter" and urged the public not to "lend a hand to rumours", but said the army was "prepared defensively" and holds regular situational assessments.

The US State Department has since ordered American citizens to leave the country as President Trump reportedly weighs military intervention.

Per the Wall Street Journal, Trump was briefed by military officials on Monday and “currently leans towards” a new round of strikes.

The US previously struck Iranian nuclear sites in June last year, during the Islamic Republic’s 12-day war with Israel.

However, the report added that the White House is considering a “last-ditch Iranian offer to engage in diplomacy over curbing its nuclear programme,” a longtime goal of American foreign policy in the region.

Several rounds of negotiations were held last year, but stalled due to Tehran’s insistence on ruling out any limitations on its ability to enrich uranium for, it claims, civilian energy projects, despite American and Israeli concerns that such material would, in fact, be used for an atomic weapon.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the global nuclear watchdog, estimates that Iran is in possession of around 400kg of 60 per cent enriched uranium, which can be converted to the 90 per cent enrichment threshold to be considered “weapons grade”.

Trump will reportedly hold another meeting with top officials on Tuesday before making a final decision on military action, with the Journal adding: “Some officials have voiced concerns that US military strikes could fuel the regime’s propaganda that the US and Israel are secretly orchestrating the protests.”

Responding to reports of potential strikes, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told a conference of foreign ambassadors this week: “The Islamic Republic of Iran is not seeking war but is fully prepared for war.

"We are also ready for negotiations but these negotiations should be fair, with equal rights and based on mutual respect.”