Trump Weighs Military and Covert Moves as Iran Protests Escalate

President Donald Trump has been briefed on military, cyber, and other covert options to respond to Iran's crackdown on widespread anti-government protests. The discussions come as the death toll from the unrest rises and Trump prepares for a key meeting with top national security aides on Tuesday at the White House.

Background

Protests have swept through cities across Iran for several nights now. Demonstrators are taking to the streets in large numbers, calling for an end to the current regime. Reports from Tehran point to hundreds of thousands joining in, despite an internet blackout imposed by the government. Security forces have moved in hard, leading to deaths among the protesters.

This wave of unrest follows years of tension between the United States and Iran. Trump has long criticized the Iranian leadership. In recent days, he has warned publicly that the U.S. could step in if the regime keeps killing demonstrators. On Friday, he said Iran is in 'big trouble' and that they 'better not start shooting because we'll start shooting, too.' He added that the U.S. would hit them 'very hard where it hurts,' without needing ground troops.

The protests mark the third straight night of major action. Iranian authorities have blamed outside forces for stirring things up, but people on the ground say economic woes and demands for change are driving the crowds. An internet shutdown has made it harder to get full details, but videos and accounts from inside show clashes with police and militia groups.

Trump's team has watched this closely. U.S. officials have talked with allies like Israel about the situation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the weekend. They covered the protests along with other regional issues like Gaza and Syria.

Key Details

Trump received briefings late Monday on a broad set of responses. Defense officials laid out plans that go beyond standard airstrikes. These include cyber operations to hit Iranian networks and psychological campaigns to mess with the regime's command and media control.

Meeting with Top Aides

On Tuesday, Trump will sit down with key figures: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs Chair General Dan Caine. They will go over specific paths forward. Options on the table range from boosting online support for protesters to secret cyber tools and tougher sanctions.

Military strikes remain a possibility. Pentagon planners have focused on air power and long-range missiles. But they also pitched ways to pair those with cyber and influence efforts. No final call has been made, and officials stress that diplomacy stays open.

Trump announced plans for a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran if that business touches the U.S. He posted this online Monday, signaling quick economic pressure.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed reporters Monday. She said airstrikes are one of many choices for the president.

"I think President Trump is very good at always keeping all of his options on the table and airstrikes would be one of the many, many options on the table for the commander in chief. Diplomacy is always the first option."

• Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary

Leavitt noted that private messages from Iran differ from their public stance. She said the president is not afraid to use force if needed.

Other ideas include sending an aircraft carrier group to the region to deter Tehran. Cyberattacks could target government systems, while information operations aim to amplify protester voices and undercut state media.

About 30,000 U.S. troops are in the Middle East, with 2,500 in Iraq and 1,000 in Syria. Any action would factor in protecting them from retaliation.

Trump hinted at talks with Iran. Aboard Air Force One Sunday, he said Iranian leaders reached out over the weekend to negotiate. A meeting might be set up, though action could come first.

What This Means

These steps could shift the balance in Iran. Supporting protesters might weaken the regime from within, especially if cyber and online efforts help spread their message past the blackout. Sanctions and tariffs would squeeze Iran's economy further, already strained by past U.S. measures.

A military move, even limited, risks wider conflict. Iran has proxies across the region that could hit U.S. forces or allies. Experts note that strikes on groups like the Basij militia—blamed for protester deaths—might aim at regime control without full invasion.

The U.S. State Department has posted warnings in Farsi on social media, telling Tehran not to test Trump. This mix of threats and outreach shows a strategy to pressure Iran while leaving room for talks.

For the protesters, any U.S. backing could boost morale and logistics. But some in the administration worry big military action might rally Iranians around their leaders instead.

Regional players watch closely. Israel shares intel on the protests. Gulf states, wary of Iran, might back economic hits. Russia and China, Iran's partners, could push back with their own moves.

Trump's approach keeps pressure high. He has said the U.S. military is looking at 'very strong options.' The Tuesday meeting will shape what comes next as protests continue and deaths mount.