Is the United States Considering Military Action Against Iran Amid Protests?

SadaNews - The continuous statements emanating from Washington and Tel Aviv regarding the widespread protests in Iran over the past two weeks raise questions about the seriousness of the military option that Washington may consider against Tehran, amid ongoing threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.

"Trump will receive a briefing on options for dealing with the protests in Iran the day after tomorrow, Tuesday," reported the "Wall Street Journal" this evening, citing U.S. officials.

The unnamed officials mentioned in the report stated that "among Trump's options regarding Iran is sending devices to receive Starlink internet service."

The report indicated that "the Trump administration has sought opinions from government agencies about limited responses to the situation in Iran."

It also "requested views on potential military targets and economic options."

"Bloomberg" quoted a White House official stating that "Trump is seriously considering issuing a mandate to launch an attack on Iran."

The U.S. website "Axios" cited sources saying that "the U.S. president is exploring several options to support the protests in Iran and weaken the regime."

The same officials stated that "most of the options being considered by the Trump administration regarding Iran currently do not include direct military action."

The report cited sources stating that "U.S. officials believe that any large-scale military action against Iran could undermine the protests."

This comes as Israel considers that the protests in Iran threaten to topple the regime, and its media outlets attempt to fuel this narrative, while at the same time fearing what they describe as a "miscalculation" that could lead Iran to attack Israel, raising concerns in Tel Aviv that an Iranian attack might result in a response that would clear the streets of protesters.

Media outlets claim that "Israel is very cautious in its statements and comments on this issue."

"Axios" reported that "the Trump administration discussed deterrent steps against Iran, such as directing an aircraft carrier to the region and launching cyber attacks against the regime."

"CBS" quoted a senior U.S. official saying that Trump "has received briefings on new options for potential military strikes on Iran."

Israeli Estimates: Regime Collapse Currently 'Out of Reach'

Political and security systems in Israel are monitoring an increase in the pace of protests in Iran in recent days, but Israel estimates that the conditions are not yet ripe for the regime's collapse.

In this context, the newspaper "Haaretz" quoted an Israeli source saying, "For now, it seems distant."

The Israeli security system sees that the expansion of the wave of protests in Iran represents an increasing challenge to the Tehran regime, but emphasizes that the regime "still possesses effective tools to suppress protesters."

"Israel is closely monitoring a series of indicators that could signal the regime's collapse," but the Israeli security system "has not found at this stage any indicators that the protests, as they currently are without leadership or coordination from the Iranian security apparatus, will lead to the regime's collapse in the near future."

The Israeli security system also indicates that it "has not detected at this stage any immediate repercussions on the security arena, and there are no signs of extraordinary Iranian preparations for an external military conflict."

Amid the rising protests, an Israeli official, described by the Israeli channel as a senior figure, said, "The story of the Iranian regime has ended; it may take the time it needs, but it will never return to what it was."

Warning to Trump: U.S. Military Needs Time

The British newspaper "Telegraph" reported today, Sunday, that the U.S. president received a warning that the U.S. military needs more time to prepare for an attack on Iran, in light of the ongoing protests.

According to the report, several options were presented to Trump, including attacking military targets and security apparatuses considered responsible for suppressing the protesters.

At the same time, military leaders in the Middle East warned that the U.S. military needs coordination among its locations and to prepare its defenses before launching any attack that could provoke an Iranian response.

It was also reported that among the targets presented to Trump were non-military targets as well.

According to the same newspaper, two U.S. C-17A aircraft took off from Germany heading to the Middle East last night.

Tehran Threatens Response to Any U.S. Strike

For its part, Iran threatened today, Sunday, to respond by targeting Israel and U.S. military bases if the United States carries out any strikes against it.

At a time when the ruling establishment in Iran faces the largest anti-government protests since 2022, the U.S. president has repeatedly threatened to intervene in recent days, warning Iranian leaders against using force against the protesters.

Trump stated yesterday, Saturday, that the United States "is ready to help."

The Iranian Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf, warned in a speech before the parliament against the consequences of a "miscalculation."

Qalibaf, a former commander in Iran's Revolutionary Guard, stated, "In the event of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories (Israel) along with all U.S. bases and ships will be legitimate targets for us."

Israeli Alert in Anticipation of U.S. Intervention

According to three Israeli sources described as knowledgeable by Reuters, Israel is in a state of maximum alert in anticipation of any U.S. intervention in Iran.

The sources, who were present at Israeli security consultations at the beginning of the week, did not clarify what raising Israel's alert level practically means.

An Israeli source familiar with the matter stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed over the phone yesterday, Saturday, the possibility of U.S. intervention in Iran.

A U.S. official confirmed that Rubio and Netanyahu spoke, but did not disclose the topics they discussed.

Netanyahu, in an interview with "The Economist" magazine published last Friday, stated that Iran would face severe consequences if it attacked Israel.

In reference to the protests, he added, "As for all other matters, I think we should see what happens inside Iran."

Netanyahu also stated during a weekly cabinet meeting today, Sunday: "We support the brave and heroic citizens of Iran, and when the regime falls, we will carry out good and mutual things for both peoples."

Netanyahu added that "we all hope that the Persian nation will be freed from tyranny. And when that day comes, Israel and Iran will return to be faithful partners in building a future of prosperity and peace."

Both the political and security levels in Israel held discussions last weekend to monitor the situation in Iran amid protests against the regime, in an attempt to understand the state of affairs and anticipate subsequent developments.

Announcement of the Arrest of Two Mossad Agents

In a related context, the Iranian "Tasnim" news agency quoted an intelligence source in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard stating that two Mossad agents had been arrested in Khorasan.

The source added that the detainees played a role in organizing widespread acts of riots and violence.

They continued: "We found communication and espionage tools, as well as weapons and ammunition, with the detainees."