Trump mulling expanded military options against Iran amid post-protest crackdown

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has recently been briefed on a broader and more aggressive range of possible military actions targeting Iran, reported The New York Times.

The proposals are designed to inflict deeper damage on Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure or to undermine the authority of the country’s supreme leader, reflecting a significant escalation in planning compared with options reviewed earlier this month.

Officials said the measures now under consideration exceed those examined roughly two weeks ago, when the administration was focused on fulfilling Trump’s public commitment to halt the killing of protesters by Iranian government security forces and affiliated militias. Those officials spoke “on the condition of anonymity to discuss potential military plans”, citing the sensitivity of internal deliberations, reported The New York Times.

The updated menu of options includes scenarios that would place American forces directly on Iranian soil, such as targeted raids against key facilities. The context surrounding these discussions has shifted, officials noted, as the mass protests that swept parts of Iran have been forcefully suppressed, at least for now, by the authorities in Tehran.

“I built (up) the military in my first term, and now we have a group headed out to a place called Iran, and hopefully we won’t have to use it,” Trump told reporters, adding that he planned to hold further talks with Tehran on a possible nuclear deal: https://t.co/dbWbH5694H pic.twitter.com/wfC9qxlhSZ

— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) January 30, 2026

Earlier, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivered a stark warning to Iran on Thursday (local time) and underscored President Donald Trump’s forceful military stance during a Cabinet meeting, as the United States continues to surge warships and air assets across the Middle East in a growing show of force amid rising tensions over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

In outlining the seriousness of the threat posed by Iran, Hegseth cautioned Tehran against pursuing nuclear weapons, asserting that “they should not pursue nuclear capabilities, and we will be prepared to deliver whatever this president expects of the War Department”.

His comments were part of broader remarks highlighting US military readiness and deterrence in the region. To illustrate American military capability, the defence chief pointed to the recent capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, describing the operation as unparalleled in scale and execution.

“No other military in the world could have executed the most sophisticated, powerful raid — not just in American history — I would say in world history”, Hegseth said. He added that this feat demonstrated the unique empowerment given to US forces under the current administration. “No other president would have been willing to empower those warriors that way”.

Hegseth said such high-profile operations are intended to send a clear message about the US resolve globally. This followe a post on social media platform Truth Social, where President Trump said a large US naval force, described as a “massive armada” led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, was moving toward Iran. He expressed urgency on Iran returning to the negotiating table and urged Tehran to reach an agreement that would bar nuclear weapons development.

“Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal – NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS,” Trump wrote, warning that “time is running out” and that if Iran does not comply, the next attack “will be far worse” than prior strikes.

Trump’s comments invoked past US military action, including a June 2025 campaign when American forces struck multiple Iranian nuclear facilities in coordination with Israel, an operation that Washington said significantly set back Tehran’s nuclear capabilities. (ANI)