Protests throughout Iran over the previous week have intensified stress on a dysfunctional authorities struggling to handle a spiraling financial disaster. But the US assault on Venezuela and seize of Tehran ally President Nicolas Maduro looms even bigger over the Islamic Republic.
The protests started when disgruntled shopkeepers demonstrated towards the nation’s plummeting foreign money. The demonstrations shortly unfold to unrest throughout 88 cities. The regime ultimately deployed the Basij paramilitary pressure to suppress a whole bunch of protesters. At least 29 protesters have been killed and almost 1,200 arrested.
On Monday, Trump issued his second menace to Iran in lower than per week, warning once more that if authorities kill protesters, the US would reply.
Trump’s blunt warnings have infuriated the nation’s leaders, who’ve since doubled down on crushing the protests.
Some background: Under the management of late President Hugo Chavez, and later Maduro, Venezuela turned Iran’s closest ally within the Western hemisphere. Deep financial ties and intensive army cooperation sure the closely sanctioned US adversaries collectively.
As Venezuela crumbled beneath the load of sanctions, Tehran, way more skilled in coping with American “maximum pressure,” delivered Iranian-flagged tankers to assist transport Venezuelan oil. The nations have signed dozens of bilateral agreements, together with a deal to overhaul Venezuelan refineries and improve army relations.
The parallels between the 2 regimes have led many observers to query whether or not the ailing Khamenei may face an identical destiny.
Both nations boast huge petroleum reserves and intensive mineral wealth, lengthy positioning themselves as anti-imperialist adversaries of the US. Both have endured crippling US sanctions which have precipitated financial collapses.
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