The United States military has warned that it needs additional time to prepare before launching any potential strikes against Iran, as nationwide protests in iran continue to escalate and the death toll rises. The warning was delivered amid reports that Donald Trump is actively considering military options in response to Iran’s violent crackdown on demonstrators.
Military Preparations Still Underway
US commanders in the Middle East have reportedly advised Washington that American forces must first consolidate their positions and strengthen defensive capabilities before carrying out any action that could provoke Iranian retaliation. The discussions come as Trump was briefed on a range of possible targets, including elements of Iran’s security services accused of using lethal force against protesters.
Officials familiar with the deliberations said no final decision has been made, but the president is said to be seriously weighing intervention if violence against civilians continues.
Trump Issues Fresh Warning to Tehran
Trump has repeatedly threatened to “get involved” if Iranian authorities persist in killing protesters, warning that the US would strike Iran “very, very hard, where it hurts.” While ground troops have reportedly been ruled out, options under consideration include targeted strikes on regime-linked security infrastructure and non-military assets in Tehran.
In a social media post, Trump said Iran was “looking at freedom like never before” and added that the US “stands ready to help.”
Protests Spread Nationwide
Demonstrations, initially sparked by soaring inflation in Tehran, have now spread to more than 100 cities and towns across all of Iran’s provinces. Protesters have been openly calling for an end to clerical rule under Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking one of the most serious challenges to the Islamic Republic since 2022.
Rights groups estimate that at least 190 people have been killed, though the true figure remains unclear due to a near-total internet blackout. Medics at multiple hospitals have reported being overwhelmed by patients suffering from gunshot wounds.
Security Forces Intensify Crackdown
Verified footage circulating online appears to show security forces firing live ammunition at protesters in multiple regions, including Tehran, Kermanshah, Bushehr and Ilam. Eyewitness accounts suggest that plain-clothes officers have targeted individuals filming protests, while authorities have stepped up arrests of what they describe as “key figures” behind the unrest.
Iran’s attorney general has warned that demonstrators would be treated as “enemies of God,” a charge that carries the death penalty, while senior officials have likened protesters to terrorists.
Iran Warns of Regional Retaliation
Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a former commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned the White House against any “miscalculation.” He said that in the event of a US attack, Israel, along with American bases and naval assets in the region, would be considered legitimate targets.
Iranian leaders have blamed the unrest on foreign interference, accusing the US and Israel of orchestrating the protests — claims made without evidence.
Israel on High Alert
Israel’s military has reportedly been placed on heightened alert amid fears of retaliation if the US strikes Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that Israel will not allow Iran to rebuild its nuclear or ballistic missile programmes.
The Israel Defense Forces said it is monitoring developments closely and remains prepared defensively, even as it stressed that the protests are an internal Iranian matter.
Fears of Escalation
Inside the US administration, officials are said to be divided over the risks of military action. Some have warned that strikes could backfire by uniting Iranians behind the regime or triggering a broader regional conflict.
Despite those concerns, the rising death toll and intensifying crackdown appear to be keeping military options firmly on the table as Iran enters a third week of widespread unrest.