According to The New York Times, U.S. President Donald Trump has received an expanded list of military action scenarios against Iran. These include strikes on nuclear and missile facilities, as well as weakening the position of the country’s Supreme Leader.
Source: Censor.NET
The riskiest option involves secretly sending U.S. special forces to destroy or damage parts of Iran’s nuclear program that were untouched during the bombings in June 2025. Washington emphasizes that no decision has been made yet, and all scenarios are being discussed among the president’s advisors.
Tensions in Iran have escalated due to massive protests: between January 8–9, 2026, up to 30,000 people may have been killed during demonstrations, according to Time. The UN estimates total losses during the suppression of protests at over 20,000 deaths, while Iranian forensic authorities confirm 3,117 protester fatalities.
Trump is demanding that Tehran completely halt uranium enrichment and abandon its nuclear capabilities, but Washington remains skeptical about Iran’s willingness to agree to these conditions.