The Iranian government is facing an uprising, and tamping it down in the fashion it’s typically done could draw a response from the U.S. Armed Forces. President Donald Trump said he’s watching the situation and is weighing “very strong” options for potential response.
Protests across Iran over an economic crisis and the country’s clerical government have left at least 192 people dead, according to Iran Human Rights. Meanwhile, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported nearly 500 protesters and almost 50 security personnel have been killed.
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Reports of the death toll comes as President Donald Trump considers U.S. intervention, according to The New York Times.
Trump is currently reviewing a range of “strong options,” from high-end cyber sabotage to missile strikes on military and nuclear sites.
“The military is looking at it,” Trump told reporters Sunday aboard Air Force 1, “We’re looking at some very strong options. We’ll make a determination.”
For now, Trump is using financial weapons. In a post to Truth Social on Monday, Trump said that any country doing business with Iran would face a 25% tariff on its trade with the United States.
Why it matters
The unrest began after Iran’s currency plunged to a record low against the U.S. dollar on Dec. 28. The Times reports that the protests ignited in late December following a historic crash of the Iranian rial. Experts cited by the paper argued this financial shock worsened an economy already crippled by international sanctions and government dysfunction. Economist Mahdi Ghodsi told The Times that persistent inflation above 40% has decimated wages. This economic pressure has reportedly united diverse groups — from students and merchants to the working poor — in public demonstrations.
The protests follow a 12-day war last June, in which Israel — briefly joined by U.S. warplanes — struck Iranian nuclear facilities, further draining state finances. Iran’s regional influence has also weakened as allies like Hezbollah and Hamas have lost ground, The Times reported.
What officials and protesters are saying
Protesters told The Times they are motivated by economic hardship and anger at corruption, with some chanting “Death to the dictator” and “Death to Khamenei.” Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned that “the Islamic Republic will not back down” and said “rioters must be put in their place.”
President Masoud Pezeshkian tried to calm tensions by replacing the central bank governor and authorizing small cash payments of about $7 USD in local currency. Newsweek notes he admitted the government is “to blame” for the crisis.
However, officials have since hardened their stance, with Iran’s prosecutor general warning that proceedings should be “without leniency,” including threats of capital punishment for those deemed “enemies of God.”
How the situation is evolving
Videos show protests spreading from Tehran to smaller cities, with security forces using tear gas and live fire in some locations.
The Times verified reports from Ilam province, where police raided a hospital treating wounded protesters. The incident reportedly backfired, fueling public anger and swelling the size of subsequent demonstrations. Authorities have imposed sweeping internet blackouts, making independent casualty counts difficult, human rights groups told The Times.
What’s next
Trump has said the United States is “locked and loaded” if Iran uses lethal force, and U.S. officials familiar with the matter told The Times he has been briefed on potential military strikes. CNBC reported that Trump is reviewing options ranging from cyber operations to missile strikes from air and sea, including against nuclear or military infrastructure.
Speaking to CNBC, geopolitical strategist Matt Gertken suggested strikes on government assets might deter Iranian leaders. Conversely, security analyst Danny Citrinowicz cautioned that such “symbolic” moves could inadvertently trigger a broader war.
Iranian officials have threatened to retaliate against U.S. and Israeli bases if attacked, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his forces are “closely monitoring” the situation.
