Iran has been engulfed by widespread unrest for several weeks, with protests now reported in roughly 180 cities across the country. What began as scattered demonstrations has grown into one of the most extensive waves of dissent the Islamic Republic has faced in years.
Amid this turmoil, the Trump administration has reportedly begun early internal discussions about possible military responses if the situation escalates further. According to officials familiar with the matter, these conversations include contingency planning for large-scale airstrikes against Iranian military targets, but only in the event of a severe and violent crackdown on protesters.
At this stage, the talks remain exploratory. No final decisions have been taken, and there has been no movement of U.S. military assets or personnel. Still, the discussions suggest heightened concern within the National Security Council as events inside Iran become increasingly volatile and unpredictable.
The unrest is being fueled primarily by economic collapse. Years of sanctions have taken a heavy toll, with the Iranian rial losing much of its value and inflation soaring beyond 40 percent. Many Iranians are struggling to afford basic necessities, pushing public frustration to a breaking point.
Unlike previous protest movements, the current demonstrations have shifted toward direct confrontation with Iran’s theocratic system. Protesters are no longer focused solely on economic grievances but are openly challenging the legitimacy of the ruling establishment.
Tensions have also been shaped by broader geopolitical developments over the past year. In 2025, reports emerged of covert actions aimed at disrupting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure to prevent the revival of its enrichment program. Following President Trump’s return to office, the “maximum pressure” campaign was intensified, further restricting Iran’s access to global markets and targeting its remaining oil exports.
Iran’s economic isolation deepened further after the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in early January 2026. Venezuela had been a key economic and political partner for Tehran, and Maduro’s removal has added to regional instability and financial strain.
Human rights organizations have documented a growing death toll. According to Human Rights Activists in Iran, at least 65 people have been killed since the protests began, most of them demonstrators shot by security forces using live ammunition in cities including Karaj, Bandar Kangan, and Ilam.
More than 2,300 people have reportedly been arrested, among them nearly 200 minors and dozens of university students. Medical reports describe severe injuries caused by Kalashnikov fire and birdshot pellets, indicating the scale of force being used.
To contain the unrest, authorities have implemented near-total internet shutdowns across much of the country. Iran’s intelligence ministry has also sent messages to citizens encouraging them to report protesters, labeling dissent as an act of treason.
Judicial warnings have grown increasingly severe. Tehran’s public prosecutor has stated that those accused of damaging property or participating in protests could face charges of Moharebeh, or “enmity against God,” an offence that carries the death penalty under Iranian law.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has described any challenge to the political system as a “red line,” while the regular army has pledged to confront what it claims are foreign-backed plots, allegedly involving the United States and Israel.
From Washington, President Trump has issued repeated warnings to Tehran against violently suppressing its population. In recent public remarks, he stated that the United States “stands ready to help” should the Iranian government launch a large-scale crackdown against its own citizens.
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