Western pressure mounts on Iran: U.S. raises military option, EU weighs terror designation

United States of America (U.S.) President Donald Trump has warned that he will take “very strong measures” if the Iranian government executes anti-government protesters by hanging. He also said he would not rule out the possibility of a military operation if necessary.
On the 13th (local time), in an interview with CBS Broadcasting Inc. (CBS), when asked whether Iran’s threat to hang protesters crossed his red line, Trump replied that he had not heard about executions by hanging, but stressed that if protesters were executed, he would take very strong measures against the Iranian government.
Asked what those very strong measures would entail, he answered, “Winning.” Trump explained that this did not mean a prolonged military conflict, but rather striking the opponent’s core targets in a short period of time. He then cited the recent ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the operation during his first term that killed Qasem Soleimani, commander of the elite Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). His remarks are being interpreted as leaving open the option of military action directly targeting Iran’s leadership if necessary.
Earlier, he had also written on social media that various forms of support, including economic assistance, were being provided to Iran’s anti-government protesters.
On the same day, the European Union (EU) also stepped up pressure, announcing additional sanctions against the Iranian authorities for violently suppressing anti-government demonstrations and banning Iranian diplomats from entering the European Parliament (EP).
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (High Representative) Kaja Kallas stated that the EU is already imposing extensive sanctions on those responsible for human rights abuses, nuclear proliferation and support for Russia’s war, and added that it is discussing further sanctions in response to the recent crackdown on protests in Iran. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen also wrote on social media that the rising death toll in Iran is shocking and pledged to work closely with Kallas to swiftly propose additional sanctions on those responsible.
In this context, POLITICO Europe reported that the EU is discussing the possibility of designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran (IRGC), the organization that safeguards Iran’s theocratic regime, as a terrorist group.
In addition, German opposition leader Friedrich Merz pointed out that a regime that can maintain power only through violence is effectively finished, while the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Germany, France, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), Spain, Netherlands, Finland and Italy summoned the Iranian ambassador in each country to lodge protests over the violent crackdown.
whywani@fnnews.com Hong Chae-wan Reporter