Iran intensifies security clampdown as US air strikes put on hold

Iran intensifies security clampdown as US air strikes put on hold World awaits US President Donald Trump's next move after he temporarily pulled attack on Iran and Tehran's security crackdown intensifies over fears of a future attack on leaders Iran's security clampdown has intensified after US air-strikes on Iran were put on hold because of doubts over whether they would have been successful. Leaders are believed to have gone to ground and troops and police are on high-alert for more protests after Trump warned of an attack over claims Tehran would execute seized opposition. It is believed US President Donald Trump shelved the mission amid fears it might not succeed In helping the anti-government protests - but has left an attack option on the table pending further information from within Iran. One western security source told the Daily Mirror : “It is highly likely the right targets could not be pinpointed, given the level of scrutiny on the streets of cities such as Tehran. It is also very important given the anti-regime sentiment of the protest that any strikes would avoid harming civilians as that could have been used by the regime.” The U.N. Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting Thursday to discuss Iran's deadly protests at the request of the United States. Tehran appeared to make conciliatory statements in an effort to defuse the situation after Trump threatened to take action to stop further killing of protesters. That included not executing anyone detained in Tehran's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests. Iran's crackdown on the demonstrations has killed at least 2,615, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported. The death toll exceeds any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Human Rights organisation Hengaw said Soltani's execution had been "postponed" but warned that "serious and ongoing concerns" regarding his life remained. Iran’s judiciary said he faced charges of "colluding against national security" and "propaganda activities against the establishment", which are not punishable by the death penalty. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said there was "no plan" to hang people. It came after President Donald Trump warned that the US would take "very strong action" if Iran executed protesters. But Trump hailed as "good news" reports that the death sentence has been lifted for arrested Soltani. Trump posed Thursday on his Truth Social site: "Iranian protester will no longer be sentenced to death after President Trump's warnings. Likewise others.' This is good news. Hopefully, it will continue!" Iran closed its airspace to commercial flights for hours without explanation early Thursday and troops at key U.S. military bases in Qatar and elsewhere were evacuated. Israel was put on high-alert over the possibility of an attack and a likely Iranian response amid feasrs Lebanese Hezbollah could rocket the north. The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait ordered its personnel to "temporary halt" travel to the multiple military bases in the small Gulf Arab country. In a joint statement, the foreign...

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