WASHINGTON: In a significant escalation of tensions, the United States is reportedly considering direct measures to support protesters in Iran, where demonstrations have entered their third week. According to Israeli and U.S. media reports, President Donald Trump has decided in principle to aid the protest movement and has been briefed on potential military options targeting Iranian security forces.
The reported options under White House consideration extend beyond rhetoric. American television networks state that discussions include cyber operations, new sanctions, and even the novel approach of restoring internet access in Iran via SpaceX’s Starlink satellite system. This comes as the Iranian government maintains a severe internet blackout to quell dissent.
The U.S. deliberations have triggered a stark warning from Tehran. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf declared on Sunday that any American aggression would be met with forceful retaliation, explicitly naming U.S. military bases in the region and Israel as “legitimate targets.” This threat has placed neighboring Israel, a key U.S. ally, on high alert.
The protests, sparked by economic hardship and political discontent, have grown into one of the boldest challenges to Iran’s leadership in years. Casualty figures are hotly disputed; the Iran Human Rights organization reports 192 deaths, while the U.S.-based HRANA agency claims 490 protesters have been killed. The potential for external intervention now risks transforming a domestic crisis into a broader international confrontation.
