WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump called on members of Iran’s military, police, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to lay down their arms, promising “total immunity” if they abandon the country’s ruling clerical establishment.

As he made his remarks, fears continued to rise that the US and Israeli war on Iran was spreading throughout the Middle East, not only affecting Washington’s Arab allies, but also non-Gulf nations, such as Azerbaijan, Turkey, Cyprus, and even Sri Lanka, some 3,900 kilometers away.

Trump, speaking at the White House on March 5, urged security forces to side with the Iranian public and help bring down the government that has ruled the country since the 1989 Iranian Revolution.

“I’m once again calling on all members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the military, and the police to lay down their arms,” Trump said. “Now is the time to stand up for the Iranian people and help take back your country.”