ASIATODAY.ID, WASHINGTON –Tehran tensions are reaching a breaking point.
A US military strike against Iran could occur within hours, according to Reuters, as President Donald Trump openly encourages Iranian protesters to take over state institutions amid deadly unrest and a collapsing economy.
With American forces repositioning across the Middle East, foreign nationals fleeing Iran, and global powers issuing stark warnings, the region now stands on the brink of a potentially catastrophic conflict.
US Military Action Could Come Within 24 Hours
Citing multiple unnamed Western and European officials, Reuters reported that a US attack on Iran is “imminent,” with some sources indicating it could take place within the next 24 hours.
One Western military official told the outlet:
“All the signals are that a US attack is imminent,”
while cautioning that unpredictability has become “part of the strategy” of the Trump administration.
Two European officials echoed the assessment, and an unnamed Israeli source suggested Trump has already decided in favor of military action, though the scale and targets remain unclear.
Adding to the alarm, Reuters reported that the US has begun evacuating military personnel from bases in the Middle East, preparing for possible Iranian retaliation.
Trump Calls on Iranians to ‘Take Over Institutions’
In an unprecedented escalation, President Donald Trump directly urged Iranian demonstrators to seize control of state institutions, issuing a cryptic promise of American support.
“All Iranian patriots, keep protesting,” Trump said during a speech in Detroit and in a parallel post on Truth Social.
“Take over your institutions if possible. Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a very big price.”
Trump earlier posted the message “HELP IS ON ITS WAY,” fueling speculation over US intentions.
When pressed by CBS News on what that help entails, Trump cited economic pressure, punitive tariffs on countries doing business with Iran, and potential military action, while refusing to rule out direct intervention.
Iran Unrest Deepens as Economy Collapses
The protests erupted in late December amid skyrocketing inflation, a plunging rial, and deepening economic hardship, worsened by US sanctions.
Iranian authorities claim the unrest—reportedly resulting in hundreds of deaths—is being fueled by US and Israeli interference, labeling it a foreign-backed destabilization campaign. Western media and activist groups have suggested the death toll may be far higher.
Trump said his response would depend on verified casualty figures but stressed that the “end game is to win.”
Tehran: Ready for War, Open to Talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that while Iran does not seek war with the United States, it is fully prepared to defend itself.
“Iran is prepared for war,” Araghchi said,
“but we are also prepared for negotiations—if they are fair, honorable, and conducted from an equal position.”
Tehran has warned that US forces across the Middle East would become legitimate targets if Washington launches an attack.
Foreign Nationals Told to Leave Iran Immediately
As fears of war mount, governments worldwide are urging their citizens to leave Iran without delay.
The US State Department warned Americans to “leave now,” citing risks of arbitrary detention and sudden escalation. India issued a similar advisory, urging more than 10,700 Indian nationals—including students, pilgrims, and businesspeople—to exit by any available means.
Canada, Australia, Germany, and France have also issued evacuation warnings.
Gulf States Alarmed, Russia Accuses West of ‘Color Revolution’
Gulf states have reportedly expressed concern that toppling Iran’s government could empower the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or plunge the country into nationwide chaos.
Saudi officials are said to have informed Tehran they will not participate in a US-Iran confrontation.
Russia, meanwhile, has accused the West of attempting to “destroy the Iranian state” by exploiting economic grievances to engineer a color revolution.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova blamed US sanctions for the crisis and condemned Trump’s threats as “absolutely unacceptable.”
World Braces for the Next Move
With US military action looming, Trump openly calling for regime takeover, and foreign nationals fleeing Iran, the Middle East is once again at a historic crossroads.
Whether this is calculated brinkmanship—or the opening act of a major war—the coming hours may determine the fate of the region and reshape global geopolitics. (RT)
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