The Trump administration is considering a range of measures against Iran in response to the regime's crackdown on anti-government protests, which has reportedly resulted in hundreds/thousands of deaths. Protests in Iran began in late December 2025, initially sparked by economic grievances including soaring prices and currency collapse. They have since evolved into widespread anti-government demonstrations challenging the Islamic Republic's theocratic system.[1]
Human rights groups, such as the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), report that more than 500 people have been killed (including protesters and security forces), with over 10,600 arrests (26 January 2026 – some media report over 33,000). The Iranian government has imposed internet blackouts, limited information flow, and obscured the full scale of the crackdown.
US President Trump has threatened strong action if the Iranian regime continues lethal violence against protesters. He has described potential responses as "very strong options" and indicated that the US military and national security team are reviewing possibilities. Options being presented to President Trump include targeted military strikes inside Iran, offensive cyber operations (potentially using secret cyber weapons against military or regime targets), additional economic sanctions, and support for anti-government elements, such as boosting online access for protesters (including discussions about providing Starlink satellite internet terminals to circumvent communication restrictions).
Administration sources emphasize a preference for measures that avoid widespread civilian casualties and focus on impacting Iran's military or security forces. Trump has stated he has no plans to send US troops to Iran and is open to negotiations, noting that Iranian officials reached out to propose talks.
A briefing on these options was scheduled for Tuesday, 13 January 2026, and US officials have warned that direct military strikes carry risks, including escalation into broader regional conflict, potential retaliation against US bases or interests, and the possibility of rallying domestic support for the Iranian regime by framing protests as foreign interference. Iranian officials, including parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, have warned that any US attack would make US military bases, ships, and Israel legitimate targets for retaliation.
This current situation follows earlier direct US military involvement in June 2025, when the US conducted air strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities amid the Israel-Iran conflict. President Trump described the strikes as a "spectacular military success" that "completely and totally obliterated" enrichment capabilities, though intelligence assessments suggested the setback to Iran's nuclear program was limited (months to around two years).
A National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin issued by the US Department of Homeland Security on 22 June 2025 warned of heightened risks of low-level cyberattacks by pro-Iranian hacktivists, potential actions by Iranian government-affiliated actors against US networks, and possible physical or cyber revenge attacks following US engagement.
Iran has a history of state-sponsored cyber activity targeting US and allied infrastructure, including sanctions issued in February 2025 against IRGC officials for attacks on critical systems, and warnings in October 2024 about brute-force campaigns against multiple sectors. The current considerations reflect ongoing tensions, but no military action has been confirmed as of mid-January 2026.
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[1] https://www.cybersecurityintelligence.com/blog/the-us-considers-its-cyber-options-against-iran-9023.html
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