Overview
- The president has been briefed on potential responses but has not authorized action, as U.S. commanders urge more time to prepare defensive postures.
- Options under review include strikes on elements of Iran’s security services or non-military sites in Tehran, alongside cyber operations, additional sanctions, and expanded satellite internet access for protesters.
- Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that U.S. bases, shipping in the region, and Israel would be legitimate targets, raising the prospect of preemptive retaliation.
- Protests have entered a third week across all 31 provinces, with an information shutdown complicating verification as HRANA reports more than 500 deaths and over 10,000 arrests.
- Israeli officials say the IDF is monitoring developments while Netanyahu convenes a security consultation, as some U.S. officials caution that strikes could rally support for Iran’s leadership or trigger retaliation.