WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is weighing a range of military and non-military options in response to deadly anti-government protests in Iran, according to two U.S. officials.
Trump has been briefed in recent days on potential actions, including targeted strikes on Iranian security services accused of suppressing the unrest. Other options would not involve direct U.S. military force, the officials said.
The discussions come as protests across Iran have led to dozens of deaths and mass arrests.
U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports at least 116 people have been killed since demonstrations erupted nationwide two weeks ago, though the toll is difficult to verify due to government-imposed internet shutdowns.
Some administration officials have warned that military action could backfire by rallying public support behind Iran’s leadership or provoking retaliation.
Trump has not made a final decision, but a senior White House official said he is seriously considering action and that no options under review include deploying U.S. ground troops.
Trump has warned Tehran against using lethal force on protesters. “If they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved,” he told reporters Friday, adding the response would hit Iran “very, very hard,” without “boots on the ground.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the unrest Saturday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with developments in Syria and Gaza, sources said. Israel’s military said it is monitoring the situation as Iran enters a third week of protests.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed the US and Israel for the unrest.
“They have trained certain individuals inside the country and abroad, brought terrorists into the country from outside, set mosques on fire, and attacked markets and guilds in Rasht, setting the bazaar ablaze,” he said without providing evidence.
