The United States appears to be moving closer to a second possible military strike against Iran as President Donald Trump publicly weighs strong options in response to reported brutal crackdowns on protesters by the Islamic Republic’s regime. Speaking to reporters Sunday evening from Air Force One, Trump said he is receiving “hourly updates” on the situation and that the U.S. is considering serious responses if Iran continues to violently target demonstrators.
Trump has repeatedly warned Tehran against killing protesters, issuing a stern message earlier this month that if Iran “shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters,” the United States would “come to their rescue.” He stated the U.S. military is “locked and loaded and ready to go,” highlighting the seriousness with which his administration is treating the unrest inside Iran.
According to Trump, Iranian officials have reached out to the White House to seek negotiations. While he acknowledged that a meeting might take place, the president indicated that diplomatic efforts could come too late if the regime’s actions continue. “Iran wants to negotiate, yes. We may meet with them … But we may have to act, because of what’s happening, before the meeting,” Trump told reporters.
The president’s comments come against the backdrop of a civil uprising in Iran that marks another wave of mass demonstrations against the country’s authoritarian leadership. These protests follow earlier significant moments of unrest, including major movements in 2019 and the Green Movement of 2009, both of which were driven by widespread public dissatisfaction with the regime.
Trump’s growing focus on Iran also intersects with concerns about the country’s nuclear ambitions. In late December, during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump discussed the possibility of future strikes on Iran if the regime attempts to rebuild its nuclear program. At a news conference, he said he had heard reports that Iran might be seeking to reconstruct its nuclear facilities and warned that the United States would move quickly to “eradicate that build up” if necessary.
The combination of internal unrest and potential nuclear development has elevated Tehran’s situation in Washington’s strategic calculus. Trump’s recent statements suggest that military options remain on the table should Iran’s government continue to respond to protesters with violence or advance its nuclear capabilities.
As protests and government crackdowns continue to unfold in Iran, Trump’s remarks reflect a hardening U.S. stance and growing willingness to consider forceful measures, even as diplomatic channels remain open.
