Trump Briefed on Military Options Against Iran Amid Ongoing Protests

President Trump has been briefed in recent days on new options for military strikes in Iran as he weighs acting in response to the Iranian government's crackdown on protesters, according to multiple U.S. officials familiar with the matter. The officials said Mr. Trump has not made a final decision.

He has been presented with a range of options, including strikes on nonmilitary sites in Tehran, and some options would be tied directly to elements of Iran's security services that U.S. officials say are using violence to suppress demonstrations. U.S. officials warned any strike could risk galvanizing support for the government or provoking retaliatory attacks against U.S.

personnel, and a senior military official said commanders would want more time to consolidate positions and prepare defenses. The demonstrations began in late December over a currency crisis and have spread as many Iranians called for wholesale changes to the government; Iranian officials have threatened a crackdown, and human rights groups say dozens of protesters have been killed.

Mr. Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force if Iranian leaders kill protesters — writing on social media, "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before," and telling reporters, "We'll be hitting them very hard where it hurts." Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the protests, and on a personal social media account Mr.

Key Topics

Politics, Donald Trump, Iran, Tehran, Iranian Protesters, Marco Rubio