On Jan. 9, senior national security reporter Bill Gertz of The Washington Times wrote that President Trump said this week that Xi Jinping was “impressed” by the speed and precision of the U.S. military operation to capture Maduro.
The article notes that when asked by U.S. media whether the military action against this oil-rich South American country would set a precedent for China attacking Taiwan or Russia escalating attacks against Ukraine or Eastern Europe, Trump scoffed at such worries.
Trump then said he had been concerned the operation might turn into a “Jimmy Carter-style disaster that ruined his entire administration.” This referred to the failed April 1980 U.S. rescue mission of 82 American hostages, which collapsed after a military helicopter collided with a plane in the desert.
By contrast, the action against Venezuela was nearly perfect, causing no casualties and no loss of aircraft.
When asked whether the Chinese Communist Party would attack Taiwan, Trump said he had already warned Xi Jinping: “If he does that, I will be very unhappy. I don’t think he will. I hope he won’t.”
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He said that under another U.S. president, Beijing might impose a blockade or launch an invasion, “but I don’t think he will do it while I am president.”
Before the U.S. raid in Venezuela, Trump’s statement “I will be unhappy” might have made some dictators snicker. Now, after witnessing the sheer power of the U.S. military—and the fact that it directly targeted the dictator himself—they will clearly take it seriously.
At present, Maduro’s video taunting the United States to “come and get me” has become a global joke.
On the same day, the U.S. State Department warned Iran not to “test America’s resolve” in suppressing protests.
US Department of Defense warns Iran
On Friday, in a statement to the Washington Free Beacon, the State Department warned Iran not to underestimate the United States’ determination to respond to its continued suppression of protesters.
“The Iranian regime is fully aware of the warning issued by President Trump and should not test America’s resolve,” a State Department spokesperson said in response to questions about the situation in Iran. “The Iranian regime should carefully consider the consequences of its actions and not underestimate the firm determination of the United States under President Trump.”
On the same day, military journalist Babak Taghvaee, widely known for coverage of Iranian armed forces, revealed important information on X:
“The dictator of the Iranian Islamic regime, Khamenei, amid rapidly escalating nationwide protests, has been moved by the IRGC’s Vali-Amr Brigade to a remote desert hideout in eastern Iran. Their plane took off from Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport at 06:50.
He avoided Mashhad, as most of that city is currently controlled by protesters. As demonstrations spread nationwide, the regime’s leadership is becoming increasingly isolated and afraid.
Khamenei does not realize that we now know exactly where he is!”
He then stressed further: “Khamenei is now hiding in Tabas. We know precisely where he is hiding!”
Someone later asked, “You know Israel is very aware of exactly where he is now.”
He replied, “Yes—and that is exactly why you can see this post now.”
Iranian leadership seeks to flee
The Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) reported that a French-Iranian journalist told French media that some officials within Iran’s leadership are seeking safe havens in Europe.
Emmanuel Razavi, a journalist specializing in Middle Eastern affairs, said Thursday on FigaroVox, a website of Le Figaro: “Just 24 hours ago, several important reformist figures submitted visa applications—or at least, through a Paris lawyer, are trying to obtain French visas for their families.”
In another interview on Wednesday, Razavi told New Political Review that one of those seeking a visa is Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament. Razavi said Ghalibaf “has realized the regime is about to collapse.” The family of former president Hassan Rouhani made the same judgment: “His nephew has also applied for a French visa through a lawyer.”
“In fact, at the very highest levels of power, defections and escape attempts are happening almost every day,” Razavi told New Political Review.
“Some opposition leaders I’ve spoken with say what is happening is unprecedented. In truth, people can feel that only the Iranian people themselves possess the ability to deliver the decisive blow,” Razavi added.
