President Donald Trump is weighing options on Iran amid the country’s crackdown on protesters that human rights groups say has killed over 500 people.
Trump has said he may take action if Iranian leaders killed protesters challenging Iran’s theocracy, as demonstrations entered their second week.
Three U.S. officials told FWRD AXIS News that the president has been presented with preliminary plans ranging from possible strikes to other options that would not require military action. No final decision has been made.
An internet blackout in Iran has made it difficult for journalists and human rights groups to independently verify reports from inside the country.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said Sunday that at least 544 people have been killed. The Norway-based group Iran Human Rights also cited unverified reports that several hundred people may have been killed.
Iran warned Trump on Sunday that Israeli and U.S. military bases in the region could be considered “legitimate targets” if a strike happens.
“If the United States launches a military attack, both the occupied territory and U.S. military and maritime centers will be our legitimate targets,” Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Sunday in remarks.
“Within the framework of legitimate defense, we do not limit ourselves to reacting after an attack,” he added.
Earlier this week, Trump threatened Iran if they continued to kill proesters. “You better not start shooting, because we’ll start shooting, too,” he said. He wrote on Truth Social, support for the protesters: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”
The demonstrations, which were sparked by economic worries two weeks ago as the currency crashed and inflation soared, have now morphed into one of the biggest challenges the Islamic Republic has faced in its history.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the U.S. and Israel of seeking to sow chaos and disorder in Iran.
The Iranian government has not released data on how many protesters have been detained, but the Human Rights Activists News Agency reports at least 10,675 people have been arrested during the protests.
