Thousands across Iran reportedly received an unexpected message on their mobile phones on Monday: “The US President is a man of action. Wait and see.” The text, sent in Persian from an anonymous number, has added a fresh layer of unease to an already volatile standoff between Tehran and Washington.
Iran International, citing state media, reported the alert as fears of military escalation intensify. The development comes as US President Donald Trump sharpens his rhetoric against Iran’s leadership and builds up military assets across the Middle East, fuelling speculation that a strike could be imminent.
Trump has publicly stated he is considering a “limited military strike” on Iran, even as diplomats prepare for a fresh round of talks in Geneva on Thursday. The parallel tracks of diplomacy and deterrence have left the region on edge.
Diplomatic Window Narrows
On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS there remains a “good chance” of reaching a diplomatic solution to the dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme. However, he stressed that Tehran would not bow to pressure created by the US military build-up.
Iran says it is finalising a proposal on its nuclear activities and plans to present a draft agreement to mediators in the coming days. While Tehran insists its programme is strictly for civilian purposes, Western governments remain unconvinced, suspecting ambitions to develop a nuclear weapon.
Trump, for his part, signalled last week that Iran has no more than 15 days to strike a deal. If it fails to do so, he suggested, the United States could act using the aircraft and naval forces it has deployed to the region in recent weeks.
Region Braces As Warnings Grow Louder
The diplomatic tension is already rippling across neighbouring countries. The US embassy in Lebanon evacuated dozens of staff members on Monday as a precaution, according to LBCI Lebanon News, citing anticipated regional developments.
Tehran has issued a stark warning in response to Trump’s threat. Iranian officials said any American attack would be met “ferociously”, underscoring the high stakes should talks collapse.
Nationwide Protests Reignite
Beyond the diplomatic corridors, domestic unrest is resurfacing. University students marked the start of a new semester with renewed anti-government protests, reviving slogans heard during nationwide demonstrations that peaked in January and were met with a deadly crackdown, according to AFP.
Protests spread to several campuses, including the all-women Al Zahra University in Tehran. Students chanted anti-government slogans and reportedly burned and tore an Iranian flag. The demonstrations, however, did not spill onto city streets.
A Telegram channel for Iranian students, Anjmotahed, alleged that members of the Basij, a state-backed militia, attacked students at Sharif University in Tehran, leaving several injured. An ambulance was seen arriving at the campus, the channel said. Universities have since sent text messages warning students of potential disciplinary consequences for participating in protests.
