US Signals Support for Iranian Protesters as Tensions Rise Over Possible Military Options

As widespread protests continue to shake Iran, US President Donald Trump has publicly expressed support for the Iranian people, saying the country is witnessing an unprecedented push for freedom. His remarks have added a new international dimension to the unrest, even as reports emerge of internal discussions in Washington over potential responses to Tehran’s actions.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said the Iranian population appeared closer to freedom than ever before and stressed that the United States was prepared to assist. The statement came amid intensifying demonstrations across Iranian cities and a growing crackdown by the authorities.

At the same time, American media reports suggest that the US administration has been reviewing a range of contingency plans related to Iran. According to these reports, officials have discussed scenarios that include military options, such as air operations targeting key Iranian facilities. Sources familiar with the briefings indicated that the president has been presented with multiple choices, ranging from limited strikes to broader actions aimed at weakening the regime’s security structure.

Officials, however, have underlined that these discussions are part of routine strategic planning and that no final decision has been taken. There has been no movement of US troops or equipment, and diplomatic and economic measures remain on the table as Washington assesses how to respond to developments inside Iran.

Iran has been the target of US military action in the past, particularly during periods of heightened regional tension. Previous strikes reportedly focused on heavily fortified sites linked to Iran’s nuclear programme and were carried out alongside Israeli operations against Iranian military assets, following threats issued during a brief but intense regional conflict.

Inside Iran, protests against the country’s theocratic system have entered their second week, despite sweeping internet shutdowns and communication blackouts imposed by the government. Human rights groups operating from outside the country estimate that more than a hundred people have been killed and thousands detained since demonstrations began, though verifying figures has become increasingly difficult due to restrictions on information.

State-controlled media in Iran has largely highlighted casualties among security personnel and has portrayed the unrest as being driven by hostile elements, often referring to protesters as extremists. Civilian deaths have received little acknowledgement in official coverage.

The Iranian government has also hardened its legal stance. The country’s attorney general has warned that participation in protests could lead to charges of being an “enemy of God,” an accusation under Iranian law that can carry the death penalty.