(AP)
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman led efforts to talk US President Donald Trump out of attacking Iran, fearing “grave blowbacks in the region,” a senior Saudi official said Thursday.The official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the Gulf trio “led a long, frantic, diplomatic last-minute effort to convince President Trump to give Iran a chance to show good intention.”“Communication is still under way to consolidate gained trust and current good spirit,” they added.Follow Iran Protests Live UpdatesThe warning from Gulf countries comes as Iran faces a violent crackdown on nationwide protests. According to an NYT report, more than 3,400 people have been killed in the demonstrations and more than 18,400 people have been detained.Concerns have grown that the Iranian government could turn to executions to suppress the protests, after Tehran prosecutors said capital charges of “moharebeh,” or “waging war against God,” would be sought against some detainees arrested during recent demonstrations.Also read | ‘Forced to pay for bullets that killed their kids’: Iranians in India recount Tehran horrorTrump on Tuesday said the United States would respond forcefully if Iranian authorities began carrying out hangings as part of the crackdown. “We will take very strong action if they do such a thing,” he told CBS News.Trump has also announced a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran, stepping up pressure on Tehran over the protests. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote, “Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America.”Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned Trump to “not repeat the same mistake that you did in June” during a Fox News interview.Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had earlier accused the United States and Israel of attempting to destabilise Iran by fomenting unrest. While pledging that the government would hear public grievances, he warned against violent protesters and urged Iranians to stay away from “rioters and terrorists.”
