WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has been briefed on a range of military strike options against Iran as he weighs fulfilling his pledge to intervene if the Tehran regime continues its deadly crackdown on nationwide protests, U.S. officials said Saturday.
The options presented to the president include potential strikes on non-military sites within Tehran and targets tied directly to the security services responsible for suppressing demonstrations. While no final decision has been made, officials confirmed that the administration is seriously considering a military response to the escalating violence in the Islamic Republic.
“Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,” Trump wrote on social media Saturday morning. “The USA stands ready to help!!!”
The President’s warnings have taken on new weight following the Jan. 3 U.S. military raid in Venezuela that captured Nicolás Maduro. On Friday, the State Department underscored this stance by releasing a video of the Venezuela operation with the caption: “Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he’ll do something, he means it.”
If authorized, this would mark the second time in less than a year that Trump has ordered kinetic action against Iran, following the “Midnight Hammer” strikes in June 2024 that targeted three nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a high-level phone call Saturday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the Iranian protests and regional security. Netanyahu has previously urged for decisive action to prevent Iran from expanding its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.
Inside the administration, the discussions remain delicate. Senior officials expressed concern that military action could inadvertently galvanize the Iranian public behind the regime or trigger retaliatory attacks against U.S. personnel in the Middle East. Military commanders have reportedly requested more time to fortify U.S. defensive positions in the region before any potential strike.
The protests, which began in late December over a currency crisis and economic grievances, have rapidly transformed into a broad uprising calling for the end of the current government. Human rights organizations report that dozens of protesters have already been killed by state forces.
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