The options proposed to Trump include strikes on civilian targets in Tehran; however, details on which specific targets are in question are absent.
According to sources from The New York Times, Trump has not yet made a final decision but is "carefully considering the possibility" of approving a new strike. One senior military official noted that before any possible attack, time would be needed to strengthen the positions of American forces and prepare for potential retaliatory actions from Iran.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that the Trump administration has held preliminary discussions on various scenarios. One official mentioned the possibility of a large-scale airstrike on Iranian military facilities, while another noted that there is currently no consensus on a course of action, and no military equipment or personnel have been moved in preparation for an attack.
Sources emphasize that such discussions are part of normal planning, and at this time there are no signs that an attack on Iran is imminent.
In response to a request for comment, the White House referred to a message from Trump on the social network Truth Social, where he wrote: "Iran is seeking freedom, perhaps like never before. The U.S. is ready to help!!!".
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, stated that any aggression from the U.S. would lead to retaliatory strikes on Israel and American military bases in the region, which would be considered "legitimate targets".
Protests in Iran began on December 28 and were triggered by the fall of the national currency and high inflation. Soon, demonstrations spread across significant areas of the country, and two cities in western Iran came under the control of protesters. In response, authorities began suppressing the protests, resulting in the near-total shutdown of the internet in the country. According to unofficial reports, the death toll has exceeded 200 people, although exact figures are unknown.
