Trump Considers Long-Range Missile Strikes, Cyberattacks and Covert Operations Against Iran

U.S. officials say President Donald Trump has been briefed on a broad menu of responses to Iran's violent domestic unrest.

“Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke by phone about the tense regional situation, agreeing that Pakistan and Iran will maintain close, frequent contact and continue diplomatic engagement to coordinate as events unfold”

Aaj English TV

The options range from long-range missile strikes and targeted air strikes to cyber operations, covert actions and psychological campaigns intended to disrupt Iranian command-and-control, communications and state media.

Aaj English TV

Reporting cites anonymous defense and administration sources outlining options that include kinetic strikes alongside non-kinetic measures.

White House spokespeople continue to insist diplomacy remains the first choice even as they keep military options on the table, and outlets describe the array as a full-spectrum set of tools officials are weighing as they prepare policy recommendations.

The immediate context driving those U.S. deliberations is a harsh, nationwide crackdown on protests inside Iran.

Human-rights monitors, activist networks and multiple media outlets report hundreds to thousands killed, scores or hundreds of security-force fatalities, and widespread arrests amid a near-total internet shutdown that has hampered independent verification.

AAP News

Witness accounts and rights-group tallies vary—some outlets cite HRANA or Iran Human Rights figures in the 500-700 range while others carry higher unverified counts—making the human toll contested in reporting even as many sources emphasize severe violence and heavy arrests.

Within Washington, reporting shows a split between aides pushing for diplomatic restraint and those pressing for stronger messaging or actions.

“Here’s a concise summary: - Iran has seen 16 days of major anti-government protests”

ABC

The White House publicly emphasizes having private lines of contact to Iran that differ from Tehran's public rhetoric.

Vice-presidential and senior aides are described as urging diplomacy before military options.

The president publicly warned Iran he would consider using force if protesters are killed and ordered economic penalties on countries dealing with Tehran.

The potential U.S. responses have already rippled across the region.

Iranian officials warned that any U.S. attack would prompt retaliation against Israel and U.S. military assets.

ABC30 Fresno

Russia publicly rebuked outside interference and moved to deepen ties with Tehran.

Washington announced economic penalties intended to raise costs for third-party trade with Iran.

The Trump administration also explored non-military technical options, most visibly proposals to restore internet access that involved outreach to Elon Musk's Starlink.

Some countries advised citizens to leave or prepare for evacuation amid the blackout and escalating rhetoric.

Reporting differs significantly in tone, emphasis, and certainty.

Mainstream Western outlets generally present the military options as possible but unconfirmed, with repeated caveats about verification, while alternative and regional outlets often run more assertive accounts, either stressing the scale of killings and a brutal crackdown, or emphasizing regime cohesion and pro-government rallies.

ABC7 New York

Because the communications blackout and restricted reporting limit independent verification, readers should expect continued divergence in casualty figures, characterizations of Tehran's openness to talks, and assessments of how close the U.S. is to executing any of the military or covert options under discussion.