The Trump administration is reportedly preparing preliminary plans for a possible military strike on Iran, with large-scale airstrikes emerging as one of the options under discussion, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
Sources familiar with the matter said US officials are evaluating how to act on President Donald Trump’s recent threats against the Islamic Republic, including identifying potential military targets. One proposal involves a broad aerial assault on multiple Iranian military sites, though there is no agreement within Washington on pursuing any specific course of action.
Officials stressed that no military equipment or personnel have been repositioned so far, and emphasized that such planning is routine and does not necessarily indicate an imminent attack.
The discussions come as Iran signals a harsher response to ongoing protests. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has indicated an impending crackdown, despite warnings from the United States. Iran further escalated its rhetoric on Saturday when Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi Azad warned that protesters would be treated as “enemies of God,” a charge that can carry the death penalty. Iranian state television also reported that those accused of aiding protesters could face the same punishment.
In an official statement, Iranian authorities instructed prosecutors to act swiftly and without leniency against individuals accused of creating insecurity or betraying the nation.
President Trump publicly expressed support for Iranian protesters in a social media post, stating that Iran was “looking at freedom, perhaps like never before,” and adding that the United States was ready to help. The US State Department followed up with a warning, saying that when President Trump makes a threat, it should be taken seriously.