On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced he has halted discussions with Iranian officials in response to the government’s violent crackdown on protesters. This decision comes as human rights monitors report that the death toll from the protests has reached over 2,000. While Trump did not specify what form of assistance the United States might offer to demonstrators, he made it clear that military options remain on the table.
The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, emphasized that while diplomacy is the preferred approach, Trump is prepared to use military force if necessary. She stated, “Airstrikes would be one of the many options that are on the table for the commander-in-chief.” Leavitt also noted the administration’s concern over the ongoing violence in Tehran, highlighting the president’s desire to see an end to the killings.
In a message posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump encouraged Iranian citizens to continue their protests. “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!” he wrote. He further expressed his intention to cancel all meetings with Iranian officials until the violence stops, adding, “HELP IS ON ITS WAY.”
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. government is considering various strategies to support the protests. Options include amplifying anti-government voices online, launching cyber attacks against Iranian military infrastructure, imposing additional sanctions, and conducting military strikes. Matt Gertken, chief geopolitical strategist at BCA Research, explained that the U.S. has a range of tools available, from cyber operations to missile strikes, should it decide to act.
While Trump indicated that he is exploring non-kinetic responses, such as cyber and covert operations, he is not expected to deploy American troops to Iran. As unrest continues to spread across 187 cities and towns in all 31 provinces of Iran, the protests initially erupted in late December 2022, triggered by the collapse of the rial against the U.S. dollar.
The Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA), a U.S.-based Iranian organization, reported that a total of 512 protestors and 134 security personnel have been confirmed killed since the demonstrations began. Furthermore, HRANA has documented additional fatalities awaiting verification.
In light of the ongoing protests, Washington is also considering options to restore internet access in Iran, which has been severely restricted by the Iranian government. Trump mentioned that he might reach out to Elon Musk regarding the possibility of re-establishing internet connectivity through Musk’s Starlink service, which has reportedly been blocked amid the unrest.
As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, with concerns growing over the Iranian regime’s response to the protests and the potential for further escalation.
