U.S. Weighs Military Options as Iran Protests Intensify

WASHINGTON/TEHRAN – The Trump administration is actively reviewing a spectrum of covert and military options against Iran, according to two U.S. Defense Department officials who spoke to CBS News. This development comes amidst unprecedented nationwide anti-government protests in Iran that have entered their third week.

The officials confirmed that President Donald Trump has been briefed on a wide range of potential actions. While long-range missile strikes remain a contingency, the Pentagon is also considering cyber operations and psychological warfare campaigns. A meeting of the National Security Team is expected at the White House today to further assess these options.

The escalating situation in Iran has prompted a severe international response:

• Mass Evacuation: The U.S. State Department has issued an urgent advisory, ordering all American citizens to leave Iran immediately. Several European countries have followed suit, with France reportedly withdrawing non-essential staff from its embassy in Tehran.
• Internet Blackout: Internet access in Iran has been completely cut off for over 108 hours, a move monitored by NetBlocks. This widespread blackout has isolated citizens and made verifying reports from the ground extremely difficult, raising grave concerns among human rights organizations.
• Human Toll: Human rights groups estimate that more than 600 protesters have been killed in the government’s crackdown on the demonstrations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the country is prepared for both “serious and real negotiation” and for war, signaling a defiant stance. This statement came after President Trump claimed Iranian leaders had asked for negotiations.

The scale and duration of the current protests are being described by experts as unprecedented in the 43-year history of the Islamic Republic, marking a critical moment of tension both within Iran and in its relations with the international community.