President Donald Trump has been presented with a range of covert and military options for potential use against Iran, as a violent crackdown on widespread anti-regime protests continues to escalate, according to US government sources.
Pentagon Presents Covert and Military Toolkit
The briefing, delivered by Pentagon officials, outlined a spectrum of potential actions should the death toll in Iran mount further. Government sources confirmed the President is actively weighing these tools as the situation following weeks of protests, killings, and mass arrests grows more volatile.
According to two anonymous Pentagon officials who spoke to CBS News, the options presented to Trump include cyber and psychological operations, which could be deployed in tandem with more traditional military force. Insiders suggested that air strikes and long-range missiles are under consideration, while a concurrent cyber campaign could target Iran's military command structures, communications networks, and state-run media apparatus.
Defence planners have not yet specified which digital infrastructure could be targeted, nor detailed the exact nature of a potential psychological campaign against Iranian state media. No final decision has been made, and Trump's national security team is scheduled to convene at the White House for further discussions on Iran.
Protests and International Condemnation Intensify
The briefing comes against a backdrop of severe unrest within Iran. For weeks, anti-regime protests have gripped most major cities, including the capital Tehran, leading authorities to impose an almost total internet blackout in an attempt to quell dissent.
Human rights observers report a grim tally: at least 490 protesters and 48 security personnel killed, with more than 10,000 arrests made so far. The regime has threatened protesters with the death penalty, prompting exiled Iranian dissidents, including Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, to plead for US intervention.
On board Air Force One on January 12, President Trump signalled his readiness to act. "The military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options," he stated. While confirming that his administration is in talks with Tehran, he added, "we may have to act because of what's happening before the meeting."
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!" Conversely, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has accused demonstrators of being foreign agents seeking to please Trump.
Global Leaders Urge Restraint
The crisis has drawn significant international concern. Over the weekend, UK Labour leader Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a joint letter condemning the violence.
"We are deeply concerned about reports of violence by Iranian security forces, and strongly condemn the killing of protestors," the letter read. It urged Iranian authorities to "exercise restraint, to refrain from violence, and to uphold the fundamental rights of Iran's citizens."
As of January 13, 2026, the situation remains in a tense stalemate. The US holds a toolkit of potential responses, diplomatic channels are ostensibly open, and the Iranian people continue to protest amidst a severe crackdown, with the world watching closely.
