Bem Samuels writes in Haaretz: ‘Iranian security forces have killed at least 45 protesters, including eight minors, in a crackdown on demonstrations that began in late December, the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights said on Thursday. After the blackouts, U.S. President Donald Trump called into the Hugh Hewitt radio show to say that he let Iranian forces know that "if they start killing people, which they tend to do during riots, we'll hit them very hard."’

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi ‘said that Tehran ‍remains open to ‌negotiations with the United ⁠States as long ‌as they are based ‍on "mutual respect and interests," but it is ‍also ready ‌for war if that is Washington's intent.’

The ayatollahs would like to remain in power.

As for Trump, the US betrayed the Kurdish people long before him, and the empire is ready to betray the Iranians, if the president deems it necessary.