Anger at Israel builds in Tehran as attacks continue
The sound of explosions can be heard from time to time here in the capital, Tehran. Smoke can also be seen rising, with initial reports suggesting Israel has targeted a fuel depot.
A group of people has decided to leave Tehran, but still, part of the population has decided to stay. There is considerably less traffic, but there are long lines at petrol stations.
People are anxious – that goes without saying – but at the same time, they are extremely angry.
Iran open to negotiation ‘only if red lines respected’: Security official
I have spoken to a high-ranking Iranian security official who told me that Iran is not going to agree to stop striking back under the circumstances. However, he said Iran is ready to start a line of negotiation – only if its red lines are observed and considered.
The official said Israel’s current strategy has not fulfilled its objectives and they are starting new ways of attacking. The official also said any potential US intervention would run the risk dragging the entire region into war. That sounds like a very clear message to the Americans.
Pressure on Iran ‘to backfire’
Analyst Abas Aslani says Iran has long been familiar with contradicting messages coming out of the US, adding that he expects the pressure on the Iranian leadership to “backfire”.
“If the United States and the American president want to somehow get more compromises from Iran following this military aggression, meaning if they want zero enrichment, I think this won’t be accepted by Iran,” he told Al Jazeera.
“During the George Bush administration, Iran was facing pressure but from a couple hundred centrifuges now we are seeing thousands of advanced machines which are producing a significant amount of enriched uranium,” said Aslani, a Tehran-based senior research fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies.
He added that it also depends on what Trump would want to achieve on any negotiations. “If it is the nuclear issue and if he means to eliminate Iran’s nuclear programme, I think this will not be achievable.”
