Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sarcastically thanked the U.S. command for acknowledging the deployment of HIMARS rocket systems in the Middle East. At the same time, according to media reports, there are calls from within the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump to find a way to resolve the conflict with Tehran to avoid losing public support. There are also speculations about an assassination of the new Iranian leader. Here is a summary of the latest events in the Middle East.

Iran Responds to U.S. Acknowledgment

The head of Iranian diplomacy, Abbas Araghchi, sarcastically thanked the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) for acknowledging the use of M142 HIMARS rocket launchers in attacks against Iran from the territory of countries in the Middle East.

Araghchi responded to a statement from CENTCOM, which stated that U.S. forces are indeed using these systems in operations against Iran. The Iranian minister also stated that "no one should complain" if Iranian rockets destroy these launch systems.

Trump: Operation Could Soon End

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that a joint U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran could soon end. However, he also warned that the United States is prepared to resume military operations if necessary.

According to Trump, Washington could even increase its attacks against Iran by a factor of twenty if Tehran disrupts the flow of oil through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Pressure to Find a Solution

According to the Wall Street Journal, some advisors to President Trump are privately urging him to find a way to end the conflict with Iran. They fear that a prolonged war could significantly weaken public support in the United States.

The report states that the president is surprised that Tehran is refusing to capitulate. His close associates are therefore reportedly considering a plan to exit the conflict while presenting it as fulfilling the goals of the U.S. military.

The newspaper also notes that public support for the operation against Iran is already relatively low and could decline further in the event of a protracted war.

Speculation About Assassination of New Iranian Leader

According to the Wall Street Journal, Israel, with the support of the United States, is reportedly considering a plan to assassinate the new Iranian Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is considered a politician unwilling to compromise.

Sources for the newspaper claim that President Donald Trump has told his advisors that he would support the idea of removing Mojtaba Chamenei if he is unwilling to make concessions to the United States.

According to the report, Trump would like to see the future Iranian leader end Iran's nuclear program. However, U.S. officials consider Mojtaba Chamenei to be a hardliner and do not believe he would be willing to abandon Iran's efforts to acquire nuclear weapons or negotiate with Washington on terms favorable to the United States.

According to sources for the newspaper, Tel Aviv is preparing scenarios for how such an assassination could be carried out. The report also claims that Israel was behind the attack in which former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his wife were killed.

TASS/gnews.cz - GH