President Donald Trump is increasingly signaling that he may take direct action against Iran’s leadership as the administration debates how to respond to Tehran’s violent crackdown on protesters — while also preparing for possible retaliation against US forces across the Middle East.
According to officials familiar with internal discussions, top national security figures met in Washington to refine a menu of options for the president. Trump was briefed on updated casualty figures, the risk of executions, and intelligence assessments of how Iran may escalate its response to ongoing unrest.
The deliberations reportedly include a range of choices, from military strikes targeting Iran’s security infrastructure to actions short of force such as cyber operations or expanded sanctions. US officials stressed that any military scenario under consideration would avoid deploying ground troops and aims to prevent a prolonged conflict.
A major concern is blowback. US intelligence has assessed that Iran is preparing options to target American bases in the region — including in Iraq and Syria — if Washington launches strikes. Tehran has also warned that American assets in the Middle East could be hit in response.
As a precaution, the report said some personnel at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar — one of the largest US military installations in the region — were advised to leave. The move was described as a protective measure given heightened tensions.
Trump has repeatedly framed the situation as a test of credibility after issuing public warnings about Iran’s treatment of protesters. He has argued that leaders who draw “red lines” must be ready to enforce them, and he suggested he already has a clear view of what action he may take, though he refused to give details publicly.
Meanwhile, regional allies have reportedly increased behind-the-scenes outreach to discourage escalation, warning that any US-Iran clash could spill across the wider Middle East and cause major economic and security disruption.