Overview
- Nationwide protests and a severe security response continue under a communications blackout, with rights groups citing hundreds to thousands killed and more than ten thousand detained, and an Iranian official reportedly acknowledging about 2,000 deaths.
- President Trump threatened “very strong action” if detained protesters are hanged, canceled contacts with Iranian officials, proposed a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran, and told demonstrators that “help is on its way.”
- Two Defense Department officials told CBS News the president has been briefed on a wide range of military and covert tools, with a national security meeting planned to assess updated options.
- Sen. Lindsey Graham urged Trump to “kill the leadership” in Tehran and later advocated a “massive wave” of military, cyber and psychological attacks without deploying U.S. ground forces.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Iran’s rulers are in their “final days and weeks,” while Iranian officials warned that any U.S. strike would prompt retaliation.