President Trump has been briefed on new military options for strikes in Iran, a senior U.S. official revealed on Sunday. The development comes as tensions between Washington and Tehran escalate following nationwide protests that have claimed the lives of at least 538 people.
The president's administration is weighing various options, including cyber attacks, to respond to what Mr Trump described as "killing people like they have in the past". In a statement, he vowed that any Iranian government crackdown on protesters would be met with swift action. The White House has refused to confirm or deny whether the U.S. military would launch an operation.
The protests, sparked by economic grievances and a sharp decline in the value of Iran's currency, have turned violent with thousands arrested and more than 10,600 people detained so far. The government has accused foreign powers - including the United States - of fueling the unrest.
Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said on Sunday that the Trump administration has "moral support" for action against Iran, adding that the protesters are driven by a desire for help from a stronger America. However, others warn of the dangers of military intervention, with one Democrat senator calling it a "massive mistake".
The U.S. maintains heavy sanctions on Iran and has been building its military presence in the Middle East. Iranian hardliners have threatened retaliation if the US strikes back, warning that both the country's military and American forces would be legitimate targets.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has stepped up pressure on Tehran by adding to existing sanctions and offering support for the protesters through social media. The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet is stationed in Bahrain, while there are also U.S. troops stationed in Iraq, within striking distance of Iran.
The president's administration is weighing various options, including cyber attacks, to respond to what Mr Trump described as "killing people like they have in the past". In a statement, he vowed that any Iranian government crackdown on protesters would be met with swift action. The White House has refused to confirm or deny whether the U.S. military would launch an operation.
The protests, sparked by economic grievances and a sharp decline in the value of Iran's currency, have turned violent with thousands arrested and more than 10,600 people detained so far. The government has accused foreign powers - including the United States - of fueling the unrest.
Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said on Sunday that the Trump administration has "moral support" for action against Iran, adding that the protesters are driven by a desire for help from a stronger America. However, others warn of the dangers of military intervention, with one Democrat senator calling it a "massive mistake".
The U.S. maintains heavy sanctions on Iran and has been building its military presence in the Middle East. Iranian hardliners have threatened retaliation if the US strikes back, warning that both the country's military and American forces would be legitimate targets.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has stepped up pressure on Tehran by adding to existing sanctions and offering support for the protesters through social media. The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet is stationed in Bahrain, while there are also U.S. troops stationed in Iraq, within striking distance of Iran.
like wtf is trump thinking?????? 538 ppl dead and hes gonna launch a cyber attack?? thats just insane 
the protesters are literally fighting for their lives and he's all "swift action" but what does that even mean??? is he gonna send in the troops or just tweet at them lol 
this whole thing is so messed up and i dont know how we're sposed to just sit back and wait for it to escalate into something even more disastrous 
this situation in iran is getting super scary 
with all these protests and lives lost already 
538 people?? that's like... a lot 
and the us administration is thinking of adding more fuel to the fire 
cyber attacks? that sounds like a big mistake 
at least they should try some diplomacy 
instead of military action 
This whole situation with Iran is super concerning 
. I think we need to tread carefully here, you know? We can't just send in the military without thinking about the consequences 
. And what's with all these "moral support" vibes from our government officials? 
It sounds like they're just trying to justify their own actions rather than actually listening to the protesters' concerns.
. That's just gonna escalate things and make Iran even angrier 
. We need to find some other way to address these grievances that doesn't involve more violence or aggression 
Is that really going to help anyone? It just seems like a bunch of empty rhetoric to me 
.
. This whole situation feels way too volatile for my comfort 
. These protests are people's voices being heard, and now the US is considering military action? That's not how you solve problems, mate. I've seen too many innocent lives lost in conflicts, and it breaks my heart. Can't we just talk to each other instead of resorting to violence? The sanctions and cyber attacks might be meant to hurt Iran, but they'll only make things worse for the regular people who are already struggling.
I'm getting really anxious about this situation with Iran. With all these military options being discussed, it feels like we're on the brink of something huge 
I just want to know what our leaders are thinking and how they plan to keep us safe. It's so frustrating when we don't have clear answers 
I guess only time will tell, but as a parent, it's hard not to worry 
And 538 lives lost already? That's not even a scratch 
this situation in iran is a reminder that actions have consequences, like ripples on a pond. when we're upset or hurt, we might want to lash out, but think about the people who get hurt in the process 
.
and I was like wow, cats are so talented! I've been thinking of getting one as a pet, but then again I'm not really sure if I'd be able to deal with the mess they make 
. You know what's even crazier than a cat playing piano? Watching paint dry 
. I mean, have you ever noticed how boring it is just to sit and watch paint dry? But at the same time, it's kinda mesmerizing? Maybe that's why some people get so into DIY projects...
The last thing I wanna see is another war in the Middle East 
. I get that the protests are getting out of hand and people are losing their lives, but cyber attacks aren't gonna cut it either 
.
We need to find a more peaceful and constructive solution here 
. Any other ideas? 
i just want to see the protesters' voices being heard and their demands for change being addressed 
we gotta keep our fingers crossed that diplomacy can still be a thing here 
instead of military strikes, can't we find another way to resolve this? 
. I'm just worried about all those innocent people caught in the crossfire, and the fact that Iran's got its back against the wall with those sanctions... it's all so eerily familiar 
. Can't we just talk it out like the old days? 
. We need to be careful here and think about what's at stake - not just for Iran, but for the whole region and our own national security too 
. Instead of getting all worked up about striking back at Iran, maybe they should be looking for ways to resolve their issues peacefully and diplomatically 
We need more constructive solutions than just military might, you know?