President Donald Trump is reviewing a broad set of options for responding to Iran’s violent suppression of nationwide protests, as human rights groups report that more than 500 people have been killed and thousands detained during weeks of unrest.
U.S. officials say the president has been briefed on preliminary plans that include potential military strikes as well as non-military measures such as cyber operations, economic pressure and expanded sanctions. No final decision has been made, and there have been no U.S. troop movements signaling imminent action, per CNN.
The protests, which erupted in late December over the collapse of Iran’s currency and soaring inflation, have evolved into one of the most serious challenges to the Islamic Republic in decades. Demonstrators are now openly demanding the removal of the ruling clerical establishment. Iran has faced inflation above 50% and a rapidly devaluing rial, trading at more than 1.4 million to the dollar.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has reported at least 538 deaths, while Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based group, cited unverified accounts suggesting the toll could be higher. The same activists group estimates that more than 10,600 people have been arrested across 574 locations in 185 cities. Iran has not released official figures. An ongoing internet blackout has severely limited independent reporting. Amnesty International said the shutdown appears intended “to hide the true extent of the grave human rights violations and crimes under international law they are carrying out to crush nationwide protests.”
Trump has issued repeated warnings to Tehran, saying U.S. involvement would be triggered if authorities escalated violence against protesters. Speaking last week at the White House, the President said if Iran began “killing people like they have in the past, we would get involved .. We’ll be hitting them very hard where it hurts,” stressing that action would not mean “boots on the ground.” On social media, Trump voiced support for demonstrators, writing: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!” The State Department echoed that message, saying, “Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he’ll do something, he means it.”
Iranian leaders have responded with sharp warnings. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Sunday that U.S. and Israeli targets in the region would be considered legitimate if Iran were attacked. “If the United States launches a military attack, both the occupied territory and U.S. military and maritime centers will be our legitimate targets,” he said, adding, “Within the framework of legitimate defense, we do not limit ourselves to reacting after an attack.” Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, dismissed U.S. threats, writing on X: “Our enemies don’t know Iran. In the past, the US failed due to their flawed planning. Today too, their flawed scheming will cause them to fail.”
In Washington, lawmakers remain divided. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., warned that U.S. military involvement would be a “massive mistake,” arguing it would allow Tehran to blame foreign interference rather than its own failures. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said bombing Iran could rally public support around the regime, while Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., cited the long shadow of the 1953 U.S.-backed coup in Iran. Others have taken a harder line. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., urged Trump to “embolden the protesters and scare the hell out of the regime,” saying, “If I were you, Mr. President, I would kill the leadership that are killing the people.”
Editorial credit: tanitost / Shutterstock.com
