Washington / Tehran — The United States is weighing a broad range of military and covert options against Iran as reports of mass civilian deaths continue to emerge from a sweeping crackdown on anti-government protests, pushing the crisis toward one of the most dangerous moments in U.S.–Iran relations in years .
U.S. President Donald Trump has been briefed on potential responses that include long-range missile strikes, cyber operations, and psychological campaigns, according to two U.S. defense officials familiar with the discussions. The officials said air power would likely play a central role in any military response, alongside efforts to disrupt Iranian command structures and communications.
Trump publicly confirmed that Iranian officials had contacted his administration to discuss negotiations but warned that events on the ground could force Washington’s hand before any talks take place.
“They want to negotiate,” Trump said earlier this week. “But we may have to act before a meeting.”
The remarks came as human rights groups reported a rapidly rising death toll from protests that began in late December and have since spread nationwide.
Death Toll Disputed, Scale of Violence Unclear
Norway-based human rights organization Iran Human Rights said at least 648 protesters, including nine children, have been killed so far. The group warned that unverified reports could push the number far higher.
Separately, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that more than 10,700 people have been arrested, with hundreds wounded during clashes with security forces.
An Iranian security official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, put the death toll at around 2,000 people, including both civilians and security personnel. Opposition groups and sources inside Iran told international media that the real figure may be even higher, potentially reaching several thousand .
Medical workers have described hospitals as overwhelmed. One Iranian witness told international broadcasters that security forces fired directly into crowds, saying “people fell where they stood.”
Internet Blackout Masks Events on the Ground
Iran has imposed a near-total internet blackout, severely limiting the flow of information. While authorities briefly allowed international phone calls to resume, internet access remains largely blocked, making independent verification difficult.
International media outlets are unable to report freely from inside the country. Video footage received from residents shows burning vehicles, nighttime gunfire, and large-scale deployments of security forces, though exact locations and dates remain hard to confirm.
Iranian Leadership Defiant
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused the United States of deception and foreign interference, while praising state-organized pro-government rallies.
“The Iranian nation is powerful, aware, and knows its enemies,” Khamenei said in remarks broadcast by state media, adding that the public remains present “in every scene.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is open to talks but prepared for confrontation.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, he said Iran’s readiness to respond to U.S. action was now “much greater” than during previous U.S. strikes in 2025, adding, “I hope the wise option is chosen.”
White House Signals Pressure on Multiple Fronts
The White House confirmed that Trump’s national security team is expected to meet to discuss Iran, although it remains unclear whether the president will attend personally.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Iran’s private messages differ sharply from its public stance.
“What you’re hearing publicly from the Iranian regime is quite different from the messages the administration is receiving privately,” she told reporters, while warning that Trump is “unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary.”
Trump has also announced a 25% tariff on goods from countries that continue commercial ties with Iran, a move that could further strain Tehran’s economy, already battered by sanctions, inflation, and currency collapse.
Economic Crisis Fuels Unrest
The protests were initially sparked by the collapse of the Iranian rial and sharp increases in food prices, which have risen by as much as 70% in some cases. Food accounts for roughly one-third of Iran’s imports, raising fears of shortages as economic pressure mounts.
State-linked media have claimed calm has returned to major cities, including Tehran, but footage and eyewitness accounts contradict those assertions, showing continued unrest in multiple locations.
International Alarm Grows
European leaders have reacted sharply. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the Iranian government may be entering its final phase.
“When a regime can only maintain power through violence, then it is effectively at its end,” Merz said during a visit to India.
The United Nations has also expressed alarm. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on Iranian authorities to immediately halt violence against peaceful protesters.
“The killing of peaceful demonstrators must stop,” Türk said, warning that fast-track death sentences against protesters are “extremely worrying.”
A Dangerous Crossroads
Despite the scale of unrest and international pressure, analysts say there are no clear signs yet of fractures within Iran’s powerful security establishment. Authorities appear to be pursuing a dual strategy: acknowledging economic grievances while enforcing a brutal security crackdown.
As Iran remains largely sealed off from the outside world, the true scale of the bloodshed may not be known for weeks or months. What is already clear, however, is that the confrontation now extends well beyond Iran’s borders, raising the risk of regional escalation and a direct clash between Tehran and Washington.
