Donald Trump has received a briefing from the Pentagon on options against Iran if the death toll mounts, government sources say.
The US president is reportedly weighing up potential tools he could use against Iran if the situation in the country escalates following protests and reports of killings and mass arrests.
Anti-regime protests have gripped most cities across Iran for weeks, including in Tehran, leading to an almost total Internet blackout.
Human rights observers said that 490 protesters and 48 security personnel have been killed so far, along with over 10,000 arrests.
Trump was reportedly briefed on cyber and psychological operations, which could occur at the same time with traditional military attacks, two Pentagon officials told CBS News on condition of anonymity.
Air strikes and long-range missiles could be used, while a cyber campaign could disrupt the country’s command structures, communications and the state-run media, the insiders said.
The defence planners have not detailed what digital infrastructure is a potential target, or what a psychological campaign against the state-run media could look like if Trump were to give it a go-ahead.
No final decision has been made yet, and Trump’s national security team will be holed up in the White House today to discuss Iran.
The US has at least 19 military bases dotted across the Middle East, with the nearest ones located in Iraq close to the Iranian border.
Iran is believed to have depleted its arsenal of medium-range missiles capable of travelling up to 1,240 miles, but it has several short-range weapons which can reach up to 435 miles, and up to several US bases in the region.
Trump said yesterday on board Air Force One: ‘The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options.’
The US administration is in talks with Tehran, but POTUS appeared to suggest yesterday he is ready to take action if the crackdown escalates.
He continued: ‘I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States.
‘The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what’s happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate.’
Iranian dissidents living in exile, like the crown prince Reza Pahlavi, pleaded with Trump to intervene after the regime threatened the protesters with the death penalty.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, accused demonstrators of being foreign agents trying to please Donald Trump.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social: ‘Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!’
Keir Starmer, France’s leader Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a joint letter over the weekend conderming the violence: ‘We are deeply concerned about reports of violence by Iranian security forces, and strongly condemn the killing of protestors.
‘The Iranian authorities have the responsibility to protect their own population and must allow for the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of reprisal. We urge the Iranian authorities to exercise restraint, to refrain from violence, and to uphold the fundamental rights of Iran’s citizens.’
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