President Donald Trump has announced he is considering "very strong" military options against Iran, following reports that the death toll from the country's ongoing anti-government protests has surpassed 500.
High-Level Meeting to Review Washington's Response
According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, President Trump is scheduled to meet with his senior aides on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, to review the United States' potential responses to Iran's violent crackdown on demonstrators. The meeting will include key figures such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The agenda is set to cover a range of possible actions, from imposing new sanctions to authorising military strikes. This high-stakes discussion comes directly after Trump indicated that Iran may have crossed a previously stated "red line."
Trump's Red Line and Iran's Stark Warning
While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, President Trump was asked if the killing of protesters meant Iran had crossed his declared boundary. "They’re starting to, it looks like," he responded. "We’re looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options. We’ll make a determination."
This tough talk from Washington has been met with an equally firm warning from Tehran. On Sunday, Iran's parliamentary speaker stated that if the US intervenes, Iran would consider Israeli targets and US bases and ships in the region as legitimate targets. This exchange has significantly raised fears of a broader regional conflict erupting.
Unrest in Iran and a Rising Death Toll
The situation inside Iran remains tense and opaque. Over the weekend, authorities intensified their efforts to quell the protests, warning participants that they could face the death penalty for damaging property. The Iranian military has blamed foreign "enemies" for instigating the unrest and called on civilians to be vigilant against these alleged plots.
Compounding the crisis, Iran has maintained a nationwide internet blackout, making it difficult to verify information independently. Despite these challenges, the US-based human rights group HRANA reported on Sunday evening that at least 500 people have been killed in the protests. The group also stated that more than 10,000 individuals have been arrested, though they noted the extreme difficulty in sourcing reliable data under the current conditions.
The world now watches as the Trump administration deliberates its next move, with the potential for military confrontation adding a dangerous new dimension to Iran's domestic turmoil.
