Trump considers options for US military intervention in Iran amid bloody protests
U.S. President Donald Trump is seriously considering military intervention in Iran amid large-scale anti-government protests and a growing death toll. This was reported by US officials familiar with internal discussions within the administration.
According to them, in recent days, Trump has been briefed on several response scenarios, including options for targeted strikes on Iranian security forces involved in suppressing the protests. The president has publicly stated that his main concern is the use of lethal force against civilians.
On Sunday, Trump told reporters that the Iranian side had allegedly approached him with a proposal for negotiations. At the same time, he stressed that the administration is considering «very tough options», and the final decision has not yet been made. According to the White House, the options do not include the deployment of US ground troops in Iran.
At the same time, the administration is growing concerned that direct military strikes could have the opposite effect and consolidate Iranian society around the current government or provoke a response from Tehran. In this regard, alternative measures are being actively discussed, including large-scale cyberattacks against military and government facilities, new sanctions against the regime and key sectors of the economy, including the energy and banking systems.
The possibility of providing protesters with technological support to bypass the information blockade is being studied separately. In particular, the use of Starlink satellite internet is being considered. Trump said he could discuss this issue with Elon Musk upon his return to Washington.
Meanwhile, the Iranian authorities have issued harsh warnings. Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf said that in the event of US military intervention, US military bases and commercial facilities would be legitimate targets for strikes. In response, Trump promised that any attack on US forces would receive an «unprecedented» response.
According to the human rights organisation Human Rights Activists in Iran, at least 10,675 people have been arrested in the country over the past 15 days, including 169 children. The number of dead protesters is estimated at at least 490. These figures cannot be independently confirmed due to restrictions on access to information.
The White House is expecting new extended briefings in the coming days. According to sources, the Iran issue will be central to Trump's meeting with senior national security officials this week.
Source and photo: CNN
