President Donald Trump weighs military options as Iran protests intensify, with rights groups reporting hundreds killed in a widening crackdown.
President Donald Trump says the United States is considering “very strong” military options as anti-government protests in Iran enter a third week and reports of mass casualties mount.
The unrest, sparked by Iran’s collapsing currency in late December, has evolved into a nationwide challenge to the authority of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with demonstrations spreading across major cities despite an intensifying crackdown by security forces.
US-based Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) say they have verified the deaths of nearly 500 protesters and 48 members of the security forces, though sources speaking to the BBC warn the true toll could be significantly higher. HRANA also reports that more than 10,600 people have been detained since the protests began.
Speaking on Sunday, Trump said Iranian officials had reached out to him to negotiate, but warned that Washington might act before any meeting takes place. He did not spell out the nature of the military options under consideration, but a US official said that Trump has been briefed on potential strike scenarios.
Other measures reportedly under discussion include cyber operations against Iranian military infrastructure, increased sanctions, and efforts to amplify anti-government messaging online, according to officials cited by the Wall Street Journal.
Iranian authorities have dismissed the demonstrators as “vandals” and accused the United States and Israel of fomenting unrest. The government has declared three days of mourning for what it described as “martyrs” killed in a “national battle” against foreign enemies, while urging supporters to participate in pro-government rallies.
Sources inside Iran said that protests continued on Sunday night but appeared reduced, as fear of mass arrests and lethal force grows. Witnesses described streets “full of blood” and bodies being removed in trucks, with footage from a morgue near Tehran showing rows of wrapped corpses awaiting identification.
Multiple sources also reported the use of drones over residential areas to identify and track protesters. Authorities are said to have cleared debris, burned vehicles and bloodstains overnight, while some bodies were allegedly buried before dawn to limit documentation.
The Iranian government has imposed a near-total internet blackout, severely restricting access even to the domestic intranet. Residents said they are unable to send text messages, receiving only official warnings from the state. Some are relying on satellite services such as Starlink, though fears remain that such connections could be traced.
Trump said he would speak with Elon Musk, whose company SpaceX operates Starlink, about restoring internet access in Iran.
The protests mark the most widespread unrest since the 2022 uprising triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in morality police custody. Iran’s attorney general has warned that protesters will be treated as “enemies of God,” a charge that carries the death penalty.
Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament speaker cautioned the US against “miscalculation,” warning that any American attack would make US and Israeli military assets in the region legitimate targets.
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, said the demonstrations had “shaken the foundations” of the Islamic Republic, adding that escalating gunfire against civilians reflected fear, not strength, within the ruling establishment.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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