Terrifying reason Iran appears to have paused slaughter of protesters – as Trump to send more forces to Middle East

HORRIFIED Iranians have revealed the haunting reason why the Ayatollah’s deadly crackdown on protesters has stopped. Weeks of demonstrations against the mullahs’ regime have left thousands dead - and Washington is reportedly now set to deploy additional US forces to the Middle East . Iranians protesting the Islamic Republic are now so fearful of being killed that many no longer dare to step outside, sources told the New York Post . Many citizens are even being held hostage in their own homes at gunpoint by rifle-wielding Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) troops, reports say. Describing the brutal scenes of repression playing out on the streets of Iran, one source said: “There were tanks out - there’s tanks everywhere. “There’s trucks that are covered, with 10 people inside with machine guns just aiming them at everyone on the street.” Read more world news One Tehran local told how fear had gripped the capital - as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s security forces patrol the roads and carry out traffic stops. The only reason some sense of calm has returned to Tehran as of Friday is because the mass killing of at least 2,600 protesters has left many paralysed by fear, the source said. Although the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has reported 2,600 deaths, the real toll is expected to rise, potentially to 12,000. The local explained: “There are no protests anymore because of massive killings. Most read in The US Sun “With 12,000 dead, people are terrified.” Another local called on Donald Trump to follow through on threats of military action. They said: “We are waiting for Trump’s action, he promised to support Iranian protesters if the regime killed them! “It is the time to attack this brutal regime!” The Pentagon is preparing to send more US forces and assets to the Middle East, NBC News reported. The deployment includes a carrier strike group, additional aircraft and land-based air defence systems, US officials told the outlet. They will help bolster US forces already in the region while the Don weighs up his options on whether to intervene in Iran or not. The powerful USS Abraham Lincoln was diverted to the region on Thursday - within striking distance and seemingly to become the platform for action if Tehran keeps up the killing. Several Middle East allies have reportedly begged Trump not to strike Iran over fears military action will plunge the volatile region into further turmoil. Top officials from Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have all pleaded with the US president over last 24 hours, according to a top Arab diplomat. It comes after Trump said that sources had told him the killings in Iran had stopped and that the mullahs’ regime would be postponing executions. He had previously urged locals to continue their protests and topple the government - offering his support and saying: “Help is on its way.” US forces were held back after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced on Wednesday: “ There is no plan...

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