Trump eyes strikes on Iran in response to protester killings - Axios
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump is leaning toward striking Iran as punishment for the regime’s killing of protesters, but no final decision has been made, and other options are being considered, reports Axios.
According to the outlet, citing a White House source, while Trump has threatened the Iranian regime with strikes if protesters are killed, it is far from clear whether American bombs could change the situation in Tehran.
Trump is expected to discuss options with his national security team on Tuesday.
Background
Following reports that hundreds of people were killed in protests in Iran over the weekend, Trump told reporters that Tehran was starting to cross his red line.
Axios reports that if Trump orders strikes, they would most likely target elements of the Iranian regime responsible for internal security and considered accountable for the repression.
The outlet also notes that a US presidential envoy, Steve Witkoff, has contacted Iran’s foreign minister regarding a diplomatic path that includes resuming nuclear talks.
At the same time, on Monday, Trump announced new secondary sanctions to increase pressure on Iran.
On Friday, US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and senior National Security Council officials met to prepare a list of options for Trump, according to a source familiar with the meeting.
According to the source, Washington’s potential actions toward Iran range from diplomacy to military strikes.
Tehran’s reaction
Iranian officials have condemned Trump’s threats and warned that they could strike US bases and Israel if he follows through on his promises.
Meanwhile, Axios reports that two sources confirmed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi contacted Steve Witkoff over the weekend to discuss the protests.
Sources say these attempts to establish contact appear to be Tehran’s effort either to reduce tensions with the US or, at the very least, to buy time before Trump takes measures to further weaken the regime.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Monday that airstrikes would be one of many options under consideration by Trump.
Leavitt emphasized that while the US president is not afraid to use force, diplomacy remains a priority for him.
How the protests in Iran began
Since late December 2025, massive anti-government protests erupted in Iran, eventually escalating into violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
The first demonstrations took place on December 28 in Tehran. They were sparked by a sharp drop in the national currency, which hit businesses, particularly merchants at the central market in the capital.
As a result of the unrest, more than 500 people have died in Iran. Human rights groups estimate that over 10,600 people have been arrested during the protests.
