US Army Opens New Cell At Qatar Base Amid Soaring Tensions With Iran, As Unrest Grips Khamenei-Led Nation

(MENAFN- Live Mint) Amid soaring tensions with Iran, the US Army and its regional partners have opened a new coordination cell at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar to 'enhance integrated air and missile defense.'

The US Central Command said the Middle Eastern Air Defense – Combined Defense Operations Cell (MEAD-CDOC) is located in the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) and comprised of personnel from the United States and regional partners.

Opening of the new defense cell comes at a time when the Donald Trump-led administration has warned of 'US military action' if force is used on protesters in Iran – where the anti-government demonstrations have entered the third week.

What did Trump say?

Trump has, of late, threatened to attack Iran several times, warning of intervention to stop the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei-led government's bloody crackdown on protesters.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Trump administration officials have discussed some options for a potential strike on Iran. One official, also told the outlet that large-scale airstrikes across Iran targeting multiple military targets are being discussed.

On Sunday, 11 January, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the leaders of Iran had called up and that they“want to negotiate”. He, however, added that "we (US) may have to act before a meeting".

Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, on Monday, reiterated Trump's stance – claiming that the POTUS is“unafraid of using military actions against Iran.”

(This is a developing story. Keep checking for latest updates)

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