Arab nations and Israel have taken steps to prevent a potential military intervention in Iran. They met with President Donald Trump and urged him not to intervene immediately, US media reported.

Israeli officials have advised the Trump administration not to launch a large-scale military intervention until Iran's regime is further weakened. Another Arab official said that neighboring countries are in favor of the United States not intervening militarily in Iran, American media outlet NBC News reported. The Wall Street Journal

Citing various sources, said that Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar are secretly lobbying the Trump administration to not intervene in Iran. Despite the ongoing large-scale protests in Iran, these countries have not yet responded. Trump briefed Defense Ministry officials on Tuesday about a possible attack plan. He urged protesters in Iran to continue their protests. "Keep the protests going. Help is on the way," he said. He also said that there would be no talks until the Iranian regime stops killing people.

Arab officials are concerned about the regional impact of a US military intervention in Iran. This attack could have a major impact on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. About 20 percent of the world's oil passes through Hormuz.

Similarly, those countries are also afraid that Iran could retaliate if the US military attacks. There are 19 US military bases in the Middle East. There are 40 to 50 thousand troops stationed there. Iran has said that it will retaliate against US and Israeli military bases if it is attacked.

According to US media, Saudi officials have assured Tehran officials that their country will not be drawn into any conflict. They have tried to keep themselves away from the border conflict with Tehran. For that, their strategy is to prevent the US from using their territory to attack.

The deteriorating security situation in the Middle East risks affecting the economy and hindering social development. Saudi Arabia is seeking to diversify its economy under its Vision 2030 plan. And it values ​​regional peace.

Gulf leaders are worried about the uncertainty that could arise if Khamenei's regime falls. 'They have no love for the Iranian regime,' said Michael Ratney, a former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, 'but they have a deep aversion to instability.'

Protests in third week

The anti-government protests in Iran have entered their third week. Protests are taking place in every corner of the country. The number of injured and dead due to the government's extreme repression is rising.

The protests, which began on December 28, have brought Iran to the brink of crisis. International media estimates that nearly 12,000 people have been killed here. However, the exact number of deaths has not been released due to internet and telephone outages. 

Former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who has been living in exile in the United States since the 1979 Islamic Revolution toppled the monarchy, has appealed to security forces to serve the country, not Iran's religious power. 

"You don't have much time," he wrote on social media, "stand with the protesters." He urged them to continue the protests. "My countrymen, the world has heard and seen your courage," he wrote. 

Protester's statements to be taken soon

Iran's judiciary chief said on Wednesday that protesters' statements would be taken as a priority. 

The comments came as human rights activists expressed concerns that the government could execute those in custody. 

 The British media outlet Daily Mail, citing various sources, estimated that around 18,000 people are in custody in Iran.

Similarly, the American media outlet CBS News on Tuesday said that 12,000 to 20,000 may have died after speaking to two sources inside Iran. 

Trump had said on Monday that he would take very tough action against Iran if the protesters were sentenced to death.  He also urged the protesters to continue the movement and take over Iranian institutions. 

Trump made this warning after the Iranian government sentenced a 26-year-old young man to death.  The Iranian government was preparing to execute Irfan Soltani, who has been in custody for the past few days, on Wednesday.  His family was also informed about this matter.  His condition has not been known since then. 

Starlink's  Free Internet

Elon Musk's SpaceX has started providing free Starlink satellite service in Iran. Starlink is illegal in Iran. Despite this, around 50,000 to 100,000 people here are using Starlink services.

But due to protests and government surveillance, many are unable to pay the fees. Iran has been cut off from the outside world since the government imposed a ban on the internet and telephones last week.

Some people here use Starlink's broadband internet (directly from the satellite to the receiver) service. But recently the government has been blocking Starlink terminals and raiding receivers. Only on Sunday, Trump said he would talk to Elon Musk to resume internet service with the aim of helping the Iranian people in crisis. “We can talk to Elon. Because he’s very good at these things. He has a good company,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. This is not the first time Musk’s company has provided services to those caught up in geopolitical conflicts. Musk previously provided internet service to both the Ukrainian military and civilians after Russia invaded Ukraine. The US government shut down the internet after its invasion of Venezuela. Musk has decided to provide free broadband service here until February 3.

Tariff hike further hits Iranian economy

US President Donald Trump has announced a 25 percent tariff on any country doing business with Iran. This has further hurt the troubled Iranian economy. It has further hurt the Iranian government, which is facing high inflation, unemployment and an economic crisis and protests.

China has been exporting oil and various other goods to China, Turkey, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and India. China buys about 80 percent of its oil.

According to the United Nations ComTrade, bilateral trade between China and Iran was worth more than $13 billion in 2024. But the actual figure is estimated to be higher. Because of sanctions imposed by Western powers on Iran, China also trades with China through unauthorized channels, which are not accounted for by the United Nations and other official bodies.

During Trump's first term, the US had threatened various countries not to buy oil from Iran. After Trump announced an increase in customs duties on those buying oil from Iran, countries including India cut it significantly. After that, Iran increased its dependence on China in its oil trade. Last year, China bought 80 percent of Iran's oil. China has been Iran's top trading partner since 2016. Now the partnership has expanded. China buys various materials from Iran, including plastics, iron ore, chemicals, methanol, and more. The US already has a 35 percent tariff on Chinese goods. An additional 25 percent tariff will be added to trade with Iran. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump met at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea in October. The meeting brought a temporary pause in the US-China trade war. However, new tensions over Iran are now expected to flare up again.

The Chinese embassy in Washington condemned Trump's policy and said Beijing would take necessary measures to protect its interests. It said it would reject illegal unilateral sanctions. "There are no winners in a trade war."

China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning told reporters on Tuesday. China has also condemned US interference in Iran.

According to the United Nations ComTrade data in 2024, Turkey was Iran’s second largest trading partner. Trade between the two countries was about $5.7 billion.

The US currently imposes a 15 percent basic tariff on Turkey. The tariff on steel and aluminum is 50 percent. The tariff will be increased after trade with Iran. India is also one of Iran’s largest exporters.

In 2024, Iran exported more than $1.05 billion worth of goods to India. Similarly, it exported more than $1.02 billion to Pakistan. These countries will also face US sanctions if they continue to trade with Iran.