Top US defense officials have told President Donald Trump that the military needs more time before it can launch strikes against Iran. This warning comes as protests against Iran’s government have grown stronger in recent days.
According to The Jerusalem Post, Trump is reportedly thinking about military action and has been shown a list of possible targets. These include leaders of Iran’s security services, who have been stopping protesters. However, military commanders in the region told officials they need to strengthen US military positions and prepare defenses first before any major strikes can happen, especially ones that might cause Iran to fight back.
The president has threatened to get involved in the protests that could bring down Iran’s government. He warned he would hit Iran “very, very hard, where it hurts” if security forces keep killing protesters. The Iranian government has cracked down harder on protesters regardless in recent days.
Trump is considering multiple targets inside Iran
Trump has been briefed on different options, including hitting non-military targets in Tehran, Iran’s capital city, or attacking parts of the country’s security system. Senior officials will brief Trump on specific ways to respond to the Iran protests.
The meeting will cover possible actions like military strikes, using cyber weapons against Iranian military and civilian sites, adding more sanctions on Iran’s government, and supporting anti-government voices online.
Trump later posted on social media: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!” Iran has warned it will attack US military bases if America launches strikes. The president has recently shown willingness to use military force in foreign conflicts, raising concerns among some lawmakers.
Some US senators from both parties are questioning if military action is the right move. Republican Senator Rand Paul said on ABC News that bombing Iran might not work as planned. Both Paul and Democratic Senator Mark Warner warned that attacking Iran could make people support the government against an outside enemy instead of weakening it.
Warner pointed out that the US-backed overthrow of Iran’s government in 1953 led to events that brought the Islamic regime to power in the late 1970s. However, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham took a harder stance, saying Trump should “kill the leadership that are killing the people” and needs to scare the Iranian regime while encouraging protesters. Trump’s recent diplomatic exchanges have been unpredictable, including tense moments with international leaders.
Reza Pahlavi, son of the Iranian shah who was removed in 1979, said on Sunday he is ready to return to Iran to lead a change to democratic government. He said he’s already planning to lead this transition and make sure people can freely elect their leaders.
Published: Jan 12, 2026 04:15 pm