World News
Donald Trump weighs expanded military options against Iran amid post-protest crackdown
US President Donald Trump has been briefed on a broader and more aggressive range of military options against Iran, including actions that could directly target the country’s nuclear and missile infrastructure or undermine the authority of its supreme leadership, The New York Times reported.
US President Donald Trump has been briefed on a broader and more aggressive range of military options against Iran, including actions that could directly target the country’s nuclear and missile infrastructure or undermine the authority of its supreme leadership, The New York Times reported.
According to the report, the newly presented proposals represent a significant escalation compared with options reviewed earlier this month. Officials familiar with the matter said the plans go beyond previous discussions that were largely focused on deterring Iranian security forces from killing protesters during the recent nationwide unrest.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the deliberations, said the updated options could include limited ground operations, such as targeted raids by American forces against key Iranian facilities — a move that would place US troops directly on Iranian soil.
The shift in planning comes after Iranian authorities forcibly suppressed mass protests across the country, at least temporarily restoring control. With the demonstrations subdued, US policymakers are reassessing their strategy toward Tehran, officials said.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth issued a strong warning to Iran during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday (local time), underlining the Trump administration’s readiness to use military force as tensions escalate over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
“Iran should not pursue nuclear capabilities, and we will be prepared to deliver whatever this president expects of the War Department,” Hegseth said, stressing America’s military preparedness and deterrence posture in the Middle East.
Highlighting US military capabilities, Hegseth referenced a recent high-profile operation involving the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, describing it as an unprecedented demonstration of American military power.
“No other military in the world could have executed such a sophisticated and powerful raid,” he said, adding that the operation reflected the level of authority and freedom granted to US forces under President Trump.
The developments follow Trump’s recent post on Truth Social, in which he said a “massive armada” led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln was moving toward Iran. Trump urged Tehran to return to negotiations and warned of severe consequences if it refused.
“Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘come to the table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal — NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS,” Trump wrote, adding that “time is running out” and that any future attack would be “far worse” than previous strikes.
Trump also referenced the June 2025 US-Israel military campaign that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, which Washington said significantly set back Iran’s nuclear programme.
