Trump Is Briefed on Options for Striking Iran as Protests Continue

U.S. President Donald Trump has been briefed in recent days on new options for military strikes against Iran, The New York Times reported on Saturday, citing anonymous U.S. officials familiar with the matter.

Trump "has not made a final decision, but the officials said he was seriously considering authorizing a strike in response to the Iranian regime's efforts to suppress demonstrations set off by widespread economic grievances," the report said.

Trump has been presented with a range of options, including strikes on non-military sites in Tehran, it added.

Earlier on Saturday, Trump wrote on social media that "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!"

Trump and other senior U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that Washington would take action if Iran "kills peaceful protesters."

Iran's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned what it described as "interventionist and deceptive" remarks by the Trump administration regarding the unrest, saying they reflected Washington's continued hostility toward the Iranian people.

Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall of the rial and long-standing economic hardship. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and voiced willingness to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism.

In a televised address on Friday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei urged people in Iran to preserve unity, saying that some protesters try to please the United States.

He also told the U.S. leader to focus on problems in his own country, adding that Iran "will not back down" in the face of "saboteurs."

Deadly clashes have been reported between police and what the government described as "rioters" amid the ongoing protests. No official death toll has been released.