The US president had previously pledged to “help” anti-government protesters amid unrest in the Islamic Republic
US President Donald Trump is weighing the possibility of ordering new strikes against Iran in response to Tehran’s crackdown on protests and riots triggered by soaring inflation, the New York Times reported on Saturday, citing American officials familiar with the discussions.
According to the newspaper, Trump has been briefed in recent days on several attack options, including strikes on non-military targets in Tehran, but has not made a final decision. The president has issued multiple threats against Iran in the past and publicly voiced support for protesters on Saturday.
“Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The protests erupted in Iran on December 28 after the collapse of the national currency led to sharp increases in the price of food and other staple goods. Demonstrations quickly escalated into widespread unrest, with rioters clashing with police and attacking government institutions in Tehran and other cities. Authorities cut internet and phone connections nationwide on Thursday in an effort to contain the violence.
Tehran has accused the US and Israel of fueling the unrest. “Believing that the Islamic Republic of Iran is like other countries, the US is pursuing the same measures by encouraging certain individuals to create chaos and riots,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X on Saturday.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei denounced the threats as “baseless,” saying the country “will not back down against vandals.”
The US carried out strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June 2025 in support of Israel’s 12-day air campaign against the country. Tehran responded with a missile barrage targeting a US base in Qatar, causing no casualties.
