The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump has been briefed on options for military strikes against Iran, intensifying speculation that Washington could intervene as protests shake the Islamic Republic.
In recent days, Trump has issued increasingly forceful warnings toward Tehran, declaring the U.S. is “locked and loaded” and promising to “come to the rescue” of Iranian protesters if the regime continues its crackdown. The rhetoric has fueled expectations among demonstrators, regional allies, and hawkish voices within Trump’s circle.
But analysts say the president faces no good military options, only varying degrees of risk.
One scenario would involve symbolic strikes against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facilities or naval assets—enough to show action without triggering full-scale war. Such operations may offer political cover but are unlikely to alter Iran’s internal repression and could ultimately demoralise protesters by exposing the limits of U.S. support.
A more extreme option—targeting Iran’s leadership, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—carries even greater dangers. Experts warn that removing top figures would not empower democratic forces but instead strengthen the IRGC, Iran’s most organised and heavily armed institution, potentially plunging the country into violent power struggles.
Practical constraints further complicate any action. The U.S. currently has no aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, and key regional allies are reluctant to host or support strikes after recent Iranian missile attacks demonstrated their vulnerability.
As Trump signals resolve, the gap between rhetoric and viable action continues to widen.
