Regional tensions across the Middle East are rising as Iran enters its third week of widespread anti government demonstrations, drawing close attention from Washington and its allies. Israeli officials say they are monitoring developments closely, while warning signs of escalation are already emerging. Iran’s hardline parliamentary speaker has cautioned that any United States military intervention would trigger retaliation against American military and commercial targets in the region.
“If the US takes military action towards Iran or the occupied territories, the US military and shipping centers will be considered legitimate targets,” Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said. “We do not limit ourselves to only reacting after an action has been taken.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to convene a limited security consultation as unrest in Iran and tensions in Lebanon dominate the agenda, according to an Israeli source. The Israel Defense Forces said Sunday that the protests are an internal Iranian issue note but confirmed it is maintaining heightened defensive readiness.
At the same time, international concern over the scale of the crackdown inside Iran continues to grow. Human Rights Activists in Iran reported that at least 490 protesters have been killed and more than 10,675 people arrested over the past 15 days, including 169 children. CNN said it could not independently verify the figures.
As violence escalates, President Donald Trump is actively weighing a range of responses. Two US officials told CNN that Trump has been briefed on multiple potential courses of action following deadly confrontations between Iranian security forces and protesters. The discussions include military and non military measures aimed at pressuring Tehran without deploying ground troops.
Several options presented to the president focus on Iran’s security services, which US officials say are central to suppressing the demonstrations. Trump has also reviewed alternatives short of direct strikes, including cyber operations targeting Iranian military or regime linked systems. Officials said such actions could disrupt Tehran’s ability to control communications and coordinate crackdowns.
Other measures under consideration include expanding sanctions against key regime figures and sectors of Iran’s economy, particularly energy and banking. The administration has also explored providing technology to support internet access inside Iran, including Starlink, to help protesters bypass information blackouts. Trump said he would likely contact Elon Musk about the service after returning to Washington. Similar support was offered by then President Joe Biden during protests in 2022.
Trump has repeatedly framed his decision making around concern for civilian casualties. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, he said the situation was under close review.
“There seem to be some people killed that aren’t supposed to be killed. These are violent, if you call them leaders. I don’t know if their leaders are just they rule through violence, but we’re looking at it very seriously,” Trump said. “The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options. We’ll make it determination.”
Trump also said Iran had reached out to him to negotiate amid the unrest. “The leaders of Iran, they want to negotiate,” he said. “I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States. Iran wants to negotiate with us.”
Despite the aggressive rhetoric, officials inside the administration have raised concerns that military strikes could backfire. According to US officials, there is worry that an attack could unite Iranians behind the government or provoke Tehran into retaliatory military action, potentially widening the conflict. The New York Times first reported that Trump had been briefed on the options.
The president has emphasized that any action would stop short of sending American troops into Iran. A senior White House official told CNN that none of the options under review involve boots on the ground.
Trump has also issued stark warnings if Iran escalates violence against demonstrators. “I’ve made the statement very strongly that if they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved,” he said Friday during a meeting with oil executives. “And that doesn’t mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts.”
Responding to questions about potential Iranian retaliation, Trump said the United States would respond forcefully. “We will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before.”
Senior US officials said more formal briefings are expected in the coming days, including a high level meeting Tuesday when Trump is set to convene top national security advisers. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already discussed the protests with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to sources familiar with the call.
For now, the president has not made a final decision. But as deaths mount and arrests continue, US officials say Trump is seriously considering action while weighing the risks of escalation against his vow to support protesters seeking change in Iran.
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