Military strike, cyber ops, negotiations: After sanctions, what are Trump's options in Iran?

Key Highlights

• His administration is considering economic penalties, cyber operations, diplomatic engagement, and potential military action. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADSenior members of Trump’s national security team were scheduled to meet at the White House on Tuesday to discuss possible next steps. What’s happening in Iran?The current unrest in Iran began in late December after the country’s worsening economic situation pushed living costs higher and weakened the national currency. The Iranian rial has lost roughly half of its value over the past year, reaching record lows of around one million rials per US dollar, according to LSEG data. More from Explainers Iran unrest: Russia cornered, Trump weighs military options — will China take the bullet for Ayatollah?
• 'Death to dictator': Why Iran’s protests are spreading and showing no signs of quellingWhat started as protests over financial hardship soon expanded into broader demonstrations against the Islamic Republic’s leadership.
• These protests have been described as the deepest and most widespread in years, with the government struggling to contain the unrest. Tehran has intensified its response, deploying security forces to suppress demonstrations.
• According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, more than 500 people have been killed. Authorities have also restricted internet and phone services, limiting the flow of information from inside the country. Iranian leaders have accused foreign governments of fuelling the unrest. Editor’s Picks1Iran at the brink: Is the Islamic Republic losing control?
• 2It’s not the ‘Don-Roe Doctrine’: Silly US interventionism validated Putin’s invasion and gave China a playbookIranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has blamed the US and Israel for encouraging instability, while Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has signalled that the government will not soften its stance. Last Friday, Khamenei said Iran’s leadership would “not back down” despite the protests. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, issued a warning during a session broadcast live on state television.