As Noah noted, back on January 8, President Donald Trump told radio host Hugh Hewitt of the Iranian regime, “If they start killing people, which they tend to do during their riots, we’re going to hit them very hard.”
Since then, the Iranian regime has killed people — lots of people. At least 2,500 according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, while “two sources, including one inside Iran, told CBS News on Tuesday that at least 12,000, and possibly as many as 20,000 people have been killed.”
The president gave the Iranian regime an ultimatum, and the mullahs ignored it.
Yesterday morning, the president posted on Truth Social:
Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
MIGA presumably means, “Make Iran Great Again.”
When the president of the United States says that “they will pay a big price” and “help is on its way,” people are understandably curious about what form that big price and help will take. A new tariff on countries that do business with Iran is probably not what they have in mind.
This afternoon, from Reuters:
Two European officials said U.S. military intervention appeared likely, with one saying it could come in the next 24 hours. An Israeli official also said it appeared Trump had taken a decision to intervene, though the scope and timing had yet to be made clear.
Finally, Iranian state TV has decided to wave a red flag in front of a bull.
Iran issued a sickening threat against President Trump Wednesday, broadcasting a picture of the commander in chief during the 2024 Butler rally assassination attempt — with the words “This time it will not miss the target.”
The ominous warning was aired on Iranian state-run TV, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported.
Man, the mullahs are just asking for an air strike, aren’t they?
As noted in Monday’s Morning Jolt:
The Tharallah Central Security Headquarters acts as the IRGC’s elite domestic security command.
27th Mohammad Rasoul Allah Division (Tehran) — A mechanized and urban combat division. Formed during the war, now specializes in riot control, rapid deployment inside Greater Tehran, and crowd suppression.
20th Ramazan Armored Brigade (Hassanabad, S. Tehran) — An armored brigade with T-72 tanks and BMPs for deterrent power. Located at the capital’s southern perimeter.
The 27th Division is based near Pasdaran Avenue and has long been tied to the Vali Asr Garrison in north-central Tehran.
If I were an Iranian in Tehran, I’d stay away from Pasdaran Avenue for the next few nights.