Countdown for the Iranian regime: The United States ready to strike as protests set the country ablaze
As Iran is shaken by a vast wave of popular protest and a bloody crackdown, the White House has multiplied its signals: US President Donald Trump has announced that the American military is studying “very strong options” in response to the Tehran regime.
The United States considers a firm response
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on 11 January 2026, Donald Trump said his administration was seriously reviewing robust measures, including potential military actions, in response to Iran’s internal crisis and the violent repression of demonstrators. “The military is looking at the situation, and we are considering very strong options. We will make a decision soon,” he said.
According to several international media outlets, these options could range from targeted strikes on military sites to the use of cyber tools, as well as a tightening of economic sanctions. They are part of a thorough review that the president plans to conduct with his closest advisers.
A dramatic situation on the ground
According to several human rights NGOs, hundreds of demonstrators have been killed and thousands arrested in the protests that began at the end of December, initially over economic grievances before turning into a broader movement against the regime.
The Iranian authorities have also imposed a nationwide internet shutdown, making independent verification of the situation difficult and intensifying international criticism.
Reactions and risks of escalation
On the Iranian side, the authorities have reacted by describing any external intervention as a violation of sovereignty, warning that American and Israeli targets could be hit in the event of an attack. This logic of retaliation further complicates any possible direct military engagement.
Translated from Abderrazzak Boussaid’s French article – le7tv
