President Donald Trump is considering military action against Iran as protests over economic hardship evolve into the most serious challenge to the Islamic Republic in decades, with human-rights monitors reporting at least 544 people killed and more than 10,000 arrested.
Iran has responded by warning that Israeli and U.S. bases across the region will be viewed as “legitimate targets” if Washington strikes, while authorities impose an internet blackout that has blocked independent verification of the crackdown.
At a Glance
- 544 protesters have been killed and 10,675 detained in two weeks of nationwide unrest, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
- President Trump has been briefed on options ranging from airstrikes to non-military measures but has not made a final decision.
- Iran’s parliament speaker says U.S. and Israeli bases could be hit preemptively if America attacks.
- Why it matters: The standoff risks igniting a wider Middle-East conflict and could determine whether Iran’s clerical establishment survives its biggest domestic crisis since 1979.
Trump Reviews Strike Plans
Three U.S. officials told News Of Philadelphia that preliminary military and non-military options have been presented to the president after he publicly vowed to respond if Iranian leaders continue shooting demonstrators.
Trump first raised the possibility of intervention earlier in the week, saying on Friday: “You better not start shooting, because we’ll start shooting, too.”
On Saturday he reiterated support for the protesters on Truth Social: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”
The State Department underscored the message, declaring: “Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he’ll do something, he means it.”
Iran Threatens Preemptive Response
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Sunday that both U.S. and Israeli installations would be considered fair game if Washington launches an attack.
> “If the United States launches a military attack, both the occupied territory and U.S. military and maritime centers will be our legitimate targets,”
>
> – Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf
He added that Tehran “does not limit ourselves to reacting after an attack,” signaling a potential first strike.
Death Toll Mounts Amid Internet Blackout
The Human Rights Activists News Agency, based in the United States, reported Sunday that at least 544 people have died since demonstrations erupted two weeks ago. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group has also cited unverified accounts of several hundred fatalities.
Authorities have arrested at least 10,675 people across 574 locations in 185 cities, according to the same monitoring group.
An ongoing internet shutdown has made confirmation difficult. NetBlocks, which tracks connectivity, said blackouts continued into Sunday, while Amnesty International accused Tehran of using them to “hide the true extent of grave human-rights violations.”
Protesters Face Execution Threat
Iran’s Prosecutor-General Mohammad Movahedi Azad announced Saturday that detained demonstrators could be charged as “enemies of God,” a capital offense.
The country’s chief justice said Sunday that judges nationwide have been instructed to show “no leniency” toward those involved in the unrest.
Security forces have sent text messages to people suspected of attending “illegal gatherings,” state media reported, warning that facial masks will not prevent identification through location data.
Demonstrations Spread Despite Crackdown
What began as anger over a collapsing currency and soaring inflation has turned into calls for the ouster of the clerical establishment.
Footage verified by Emily Carter Reynolds shows hundreds of anti-government protesters at Kaj Square in Tehran, clapping and chanting “Iran.” Similar scenes unfolded in Ponak and Heravi squares, where crowds waved phone flashlights despite the blackout.
State-aligned media claimed Saturday night was “calm” and that security forces had “put the rioters back in their place,” but the verified videos contradict that narrative.
International Solidarity Rallies
Solidarity protests took place in France, Germany and the United Kingdom over the weekend.
> “I’ve been living here for 48 years. But my soul and body are in my home country.”
>
> – Michael Mohkam, 78, Iranian expatriate in France
Reza Pahlavi, the U.S.-based son of Iran’s late shah, has emerged as a figurehead for some demonstrators. On Sunday he praised Trump’s backing and told supporters he would be with them “soon.”
Israel on Alert
The Israeli military said it is monitoring developments and can “respond with power if need be,” raising the prospect of a multi-front escalation should the U.S. take action.
Iran blames Washington and Jerusalem for fomenting the unrest. President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the two countries of seeking to sow “chaos and disorder” and urged Iranians to shun “rioters and terrorists.”
Key Takeaways
- The protests have become the most serious threat to Iran’s rulers since the 1979 revolution, with 544 killed and thousands detained.
- President Trump has received strike options but has not committed to military force.
- Tehran is threatening to hit U.S. and Israeli bases first if Washington attacks.
- A nationwide internet blackout is obscuring the scale of the crackdown and hampering international media coverage.
- Solidarity rallies across Europe and support from exiled figures like Reza Pahlavi are keeping global attention on the crisis.
With both Washington and Tehran signaling willingness to escalate, the region faces the prospect of open conflict even as Iranians continue to defy security forces on the streets.
