WP reported on the US request for intelligence on Iran from European countries

The United States has requested intelligence data on Iran from European countries for possible future strikes. This was reported on January 14 by The Washington Post (WP), citing senior European officials.

"We have no evidence that the President [of the United States Donald] Trump will target nuclear facilities. It is more likely that he will pursue the leadership of the organizations and forces responsible for the killings of protesters and those involved in them," the official, who wished to remain anonymous, told the newspaper.

Another unnamed official told WP that Iranian leaders are well aware that Trump could face a negative reaction from his Make America great again (MAGA) movement if he uses military force. He explained that if the head of the White House stops exerting pressure and enters into negotiations while the protesters are dying, the Trump administration may withdraw from them, acting further with even greater impunity and brutality.

Shifting grip: New US strikes on Iran could lead to war in the region

In response, Tehran may attack American bases in Israel, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

On January 1, the Fars news agency reported riots that escalated into clashes with the police in Iran. Then it became known about the three dead. The next day, Trump said that his state would support the protesters if the Iranian authorities killed peaceful protesters. Some time later, on January 3, the Mehr news agency reported that the police had seized weapons from the protesters.

On January 6, Fox News learned about the seizure of two cities in western Iran by protesters, and The Times newspaper found out a day earlier that Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei had developed an evacuation plan from Tehran in case the authorities could not suppress the protests.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said at a meeting with ambassadors of other countries that the Iranian authorities had taken control of the situation with mass protests in the country. Against the background of what is happening, the ambassadors of Germany, Great Britain and France were summoned to the department.

It was also noted that the death toll from the protests in Iran rose to 538, including 490 protesters and 48 security personnel. The country's President, Masoud Peseshkian, called on Iranians to express disagreement with opponents of state policy, as instigators can destroy the entire society.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.