Trump cancels Iran talks, urges protesters to seize institutions as tensions escalate
Washington: United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that he has cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials, issuing a direct appeal to protesters in Iran to continue demonstrations and “take over” state institutions amid an intensified government crackdown in Tehran.
In a series of posts on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said he had suspended diplomatic engagements with Iran until what he described as the “senseless killing of protesters” comes to an end. He also claimed that “help is on the way,” without providing details on the nature or form of that assistance.
ALSO READ: Denmark, Greenland leaders stand united against Trump
Addressing demonstrators directly, Trump urged them to persist with protests, document those responsible for violence and abuse, and warned that accountability would follow. His remarks follows Iran's largest wave of anti-government protests in years and amid rising international concern over the use of force by Iranian authorities.
The US president has in recent days repeatedly raised the possibility of military action against Iran, suggesting that a harsh response by Tehran to the protests could trigger American intervention. On Monday, Trump also announced a 25 percent tariff on any country continuing to do business with Iran, further tightening economic pressure.
The US State Department escalated its warning on Tuesday, as reported by Al Jazeera. It urged American citizens to leave Iran immediately as tensions mount. When questioned by reporters about his statement that “help is on the way,” Trump declined to elaborate, telling journalists they would have to “figure that one out."
In an interview with CBS News later the same day, Trump said Washington would take “very strong actions” if Iranian authorities carried out executions of protesters, adding that he had yet to receive verified figures on the number of deaths.
Iranian officials have rejected allegations of repression and have instead accused foreign powers of orchestrating unrest. Iran’s top military commander, Abdolrahim Mousavi, recently alleged that the US and Israel had deployed fighters from the Islamic State group inside Iran to carry out attacks, without presenting evidence. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also claimed that authorities possess recordings of foreign voices directing “terrorist agents” to fire on police and protesters.
The rhetoric has further inflamed tensions. Ali Larijani, chief of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said in a post on X that Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were the “main killers of the people of Iran.”
France and Qatar have been among those calling for de-escalation. On Tuesday, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani spoke with Larijani, showed Doha’s support for efforts at calming the situation and pursuing peaceful solutions. Iran’s foreign minister also held talks with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot, according to Iranian media.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bengal: Over 55 pc turnout till 1 pm in repoll in 15 booths of 2 assembly seats
Kolkata (PTI): Over 55 per cent turnout was recorded till 1 pm in repoll in 15 booths of two assembly constituencies in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district on Saturday, an official said.
Voting was underway more or less peacefully at 11 polling stations of Magrahat Paschim assembly constituency and four in Diamond Harbour, where the EC ordered repoll a day ago, following reports of electoral malpractices.
However, at booth number 179 at Chanda Primary School of Diamond Harbour seat, the Trinamool Congress alleged that a specially abled voter and his mother were harassed by central forces. The alleged incident sparked protests by party workers and locals.
The TMC claimed that the voter's mother, who had entered the booth to assist him, and her son were detained for a considerable time by central forces over alleged rule violations.
ALSO READ: Man arrested for duping Delhi resident of Rs 2 lakh in online car sale fraud
"TMC leaders Manmohini Biswas and Pratik Ur Rahman reached the spot and led the protests, with residents terming the action unwarranted harassment. The matter has been taken care of by our officials there," an official of the poll body said.
Polling was otherwise peaceful across 15 booths in the area, he added.
Voting began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm, the official said, adding that till 1 pm, the turnout was 55.57 per cent.
Magrahat Paschim registered 56.33 per cent voter turnout, while in Diamond Harbour, it was 54.9 per cent, a poll official stated.
Voting in these two assembly constituencies was held in the second phase of the state elections on April 29.
The repoll order was based on reports received from returning officers and observers of the two constituencies and "material circumstances", the Election Commission official said.
In Magrahat Paschim, TMC's Md Samim Ahamed Molla is pitted against BJP nominee Goursundar Ghosh, while Abdul Majid Halder of the Congress and ISF candidate Abdul Aziz Al Hassan are also in the fray.
TMC candidate Panna Lal Halder is contesting against Dipak Kumar Halder of the BJP in the Diamond Harbour seat. Goutam Bhattacharya of the Congress and CPI(M)'s Samar Naiya are among other candidates.
The BJP had alleged rampant electoral malpractices in certain polling stations of both the assembly seats under the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, which is represented by TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
The EC had deputed its special observer, Subrata Gupta, to fact-check the allegations from the ground.
The poll panel will decide on repolling in the Falta assembly constituency on Saturday.
The West Bengal assembly elections were held in two phases -- April 23 and April 29 -- amid unprecedented security arrangements.
Counting of votes will take place on May 4.
