Trump has four options for striking Iran’s on the brink regime | US | News

President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced he was canceling meetings with Iranian officials amid an escalating crackdown on protesters in Iran and vowed to help Iranian demonstrators after human rights monitors reported the death toll had risen to 2,000 on Tuesday.

He did not give any details about what form of assistance would take place; However, the president had previously stated that Iran wanted to begin negotiations with Washington after the White House said the president was “not afraid to use military force against Iran.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that while diplomacy remains Trump’s “first option,” he is “not afraid to use the lethal force and might of the U.S. military if he deems it necessary.”

“Air strikes would be one of many options on the table for the commander in chief,” Leavitt said, adding: “He has made it clear that he absolutely does not want people being killed on the streets of Tehran, and unfortunately that is something we are seeing right now.”

The president’s most recent message on the Truth Social platform signaled a shift in readiness to engage with the Iranian government.

“Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE YOUR INSTITUTIONS! !!” Trump published a morning message. “Hide the names of the murderers and abusers. They will pay a high price. I have canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOP. HELP IS ON THE WAY.”

According to The Wall Street Journal, the United States could amplify anti-government voices online, launch cyberattacks on Iran’s military and civilian infrastructure, impose additional sanctions on the regime, and carry out military strikes.

“If the United States decides it needs to take action to protect its personnel or assets or energy flows, it has a variety of tools at its disposal, from cyber and sabotage to drones and air and sea missile strikes,” Matt Gertken, chief geopolitical strategist at BCA Research, told CNBC.

Gertken added that Washington could also target nuclear or military facilities or government buildings to degrade the regime’s capabilities and “deter the regime from destructive actions.”

“We’re looking at this very seriously. The military is looking at this, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump told reporters Sunday aboard Air Force One as he returned to Washington from his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida. “We will come to a decision.”

The US president is also considering non-kinetic responses, including cyber and covert operations, Politico reported. The president is not expected to send American troops to the country, the broadcast said.

What’s going on in Iran?

Demonstrations have broken out in 187 cities and towns covering all of Iran’s 31 provinces since unrest flared in late December, when shopkeepers took to the streets of Tehran voicing their anger over the dramatic decline of the rial against the US dollar in unofficial markets.

As demands for broader political reform took center stage, university students quickly expanded the ranks of the demonstrators as protesters were heard chanting slogans denouncing the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

US-based Iranian organization Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) reported that 512 protesters and 134 security personnel have been confirmed killed since the protests began.

Additionally, the organization announced that 579 more death reports have been documented, currently awaiting verification.

Washington is evaluating options to restore internet access in Iran. “We can get the internet working if possible,” Trump told reporters.

“We can talk to Elon Musk. I’ll call him as soon as I’m done with you.”

Tehran allegedly blocked Musk’s Starlink service during the ongoing demonstrations.