U.S. special forces preparing for possible military operation in Iran — expert

Ihor Semyvolos, Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, expressed this opinion on Espreso TV.

"In my opinion, there will be no direct external intervention in the situation in Iran. There will be threats, there will be pressure, but Trump doesn't care who negotiates with him in Iran after Ali Khamenei's overthrow. It could be moderate Islamists, monarchists, or republicans. He absolutely doesn't care. He's making such statements and building his policy toward Iran accordingly. In parallel with this, U.S. special forces are preparing for a possible military operation in Iran," Semyvolos explained.

The expert emphasized that everyone is waiting to see whether the protesters will have enough strength to overthrow Ali Khamenei's regime in Iran.

"In my opinion, such an operation will be possible at the final stage. Specifically, when it becomes clear that all it takes is a simple push for everything to collapse. That moment hasn't come yet, and therefore no one wants to rush. Everyone is waiting to see whether the people who have taken to the streets in Iran have enough potential to overthrow Ali Khamenei's regime," he added.

• Protests are ongoing in Iran due to the worsening economic situation. In several provinces, clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement have occurred, resulting in deaths. Meanwhile, Russia has sent cargo planes with weapons to Tehran.
• After more than a week of mass protests in Iran, the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made his first public statement, threatening participants in the demonstrations with a harsh response. Additionally, he has developed an escape plan from Tehran in case his security forces fail to suppress the protests or begin to desert.