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Trump at crossroads over Iran crisis
President Donald Trump must decide within days how the United States will respond to Iran's violent suppression of protests, as advisors prepare military and diplomatic options for his review.
Pressure builds for decisive action
Ten days after declaring the U.S. "locked and loaded" to intervene if Iran used force against demonstrators, Trump now confronts the full scale of the crackdown. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday that only the president knows his next move, leaving global observers guessing.
Senior officials are scheduled to brief Trump on Tuesday about potential responses, which could range from targeted airstrikes to covert cyber operations. The president hinted at "very strong options" during a Sunday flight on Air Force One, citing recent success in Venezuela where U.S. forces captured Nicolás Maduro.
Military options on the table
Pentagon sources told CBS News that the U.S. could deploy B-2 stealth bombers for long-range strikes, similar to last summer's attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. Other possibilities include cyberattacks and psychological operations aimed at disrupting Iran's command structure.
However, officials rule out any operation resembling the Venezuela raid. Iran's military remains formidable despite recent Israeli and American strikes, and history offers cautionary lessons. Trump referenced Jimmy Carter's failed 1980 hostage rescue, which killed eight U.S. servicemen and contributed to Carter's electoral defeat.
Diplomacy vs. force: competing strategies
While some advisors, including Vice President JD Vance, advocate for negotiations-particularly over Iran's nuclear program-others warn that inaction could embolden the regime. "If diplomacy isn't sufficient, it demoralizes protesters," said Will Todman, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Trump has suggested that elements of Iran's leadership are seeking talks, though publicly the regime denies this. Leavitt emphasized that diplomacy remains the "first option," but the president may act preemptively if violence continues. Analysts note that even limited strikes could rally Iran's population around the government or provoke retaliation from Tehran's allies, including Yemen's Houthis and Iraqi militias.
Exiled opposition urges intervention
Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran's last monarch, called for swift U.S. action to hasten the regime's collapse. "The best way to save lives is to intervene sooner," he told CBS News. Yet White House officials acknowledge the risks of miscalculation, given Iran's ballistic missile arsenal and regional proxies.
Bilal Saab, an associate fellow at Chatham House, warned that strikes could backfire. "A symbolic attack might harden the regime's resolve," he said, adding that sustained pressure would be needed to avoid a rally-around-the-flag effect.
Uncertainty clouds Trump's objectives
Experts question whether Trump aims to change Iran's behavior, secure nuclear concessions, or pursue regime change. Todman noted the lack of clarity: "The risks of regime change are so great that I don't believe it's his primary objective."
With gruesome reports emerging from Iran despite an internet blackout, the president faces a narrow window to act. As one official put it, "All Trump has to do is shoot to cause panic inside the regime"-but the consequences could reverberate far beyond Tehran.
