Trump is considering military options against Iran after 192 protesters were killed
Donald Trump confirmed that the US administration is seriously considering "very powerful" military options to deal with the situation in Iran, in a significant escalation following mounting reports of the Iranian authorities' bloody crackdown on protesters. Trump's remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One suggested that Tehran may have crossed the "red lines" previously drawn by Washington regarding human rights and the targeting of peaceful demonstrators.
When asked whether Tehran had violated US warnings, Trump said: "It looks like they have already started doing that. We are taking it very seriously, the military is watching the situation very closely, and we are considering very strong options and will make a decision on this matter.".
The death toll rises and the protests spread
On the ground, international human rights organizations revealed that the death toll from the protests that have been ongoing for two weeks has risen alarmingly to at least 192, amid fears that security forces may be committing a massacre to quell the popular movement. The protests began on December 28 with a strike by bazaar merchants in Tehran, protesting the collapse of the local currency and the decline in purchasing power, before quickly escalating into a widespread political uprising demanding the overthrow of the regime that has been in power since 1979.
A tense regional context and geopolitical challenges
These developments are exceptionally dangerous given their timing, as the region is still reeling from the aftermath of the 12-day war last June between Iran and Israel, which saw direct US intervention. This recent history of military confrontation makes the current threats more palatable, with observers suggesting that the US may exploit the human rights situation and the suppression of protesters as a pretext for launching strategic strikes aimed at curbing Iran's growing influence.
Experts indicate that any potential US military action would not be confined to Iran's borders, but could extend to global energy security and the stability of the entire Arabian Gulf region. The Iranian regime, facing one of the most serious internal challenges in its history under the leadership of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, might resort to exporting its crisis abroad by targeting US interests or Washington's allies in the region, thus leaving the Middle East with a range of possible scenarios.
These protests are placing a double burden on Tehran. On the one hand, the economy is suffering from crippling sanctions and mismanagement that has fueled public anger. On the other hand, international adversaries are lying in wait to exploit any security vulnerability. With Trump brandishing the military option, the coming days appear crucial in determining the course of events, whether toward containing the situation or sliding into a full-blown military confrontation.
