Will Trump intervene in Iran? Democratic lawmakers warn: could lead to a repeat of history

According to multiple U.S. media outlets including CNBC, citing U.S. officials, President Trump has reviewed several potential response plans regarding the escalating Iran situation, ranging from military strikes to non-military actions. Reports indicate that Trump’s team is scheduled to brief the president officially on Tuesday, during which a series of specific measures—including military actions, cyberattacks, and economic sanctions—will be proposed.

Is Trump planning to use force? Warning Iran not to suppress protests: “The U.S. is ready”

Earlier this week, Trump took a tough stance, stating that if Iranian authorities use violence to suppress protesters, the United States does not rule out military intervention. On Saturday, he further declared that the U.S. is “ready to help” and directly warned Iran’s leadership not to use force against demonstrators. These remarks demonstrate that pressure on Iran from Washington is escalating.

In response to U.S. threats, Iran also refused to back down, issuing a counterattack on Sunday, warning that if the U.S. dares to attack Iran, Iran will retaliate against Israel and U.S. military bases in the Middle East.

Inflation exceeds 50%, Iran protests erupt with over 500 deaths

While the U.S. is formulating intervention plans, Iran is deeply embroiled in its largest anti-government protests since 2022. The demonstrations have entered their third week, with the spark largely linked to the country’s worsening economic crisis. According to human rights organizations, the authorities’ heavy-handed suppression has resulted in over 500 deaths, and the government has taken extreme measures such as internet shutdowns in an attempt to quell the unrest.

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Since Ayatollah Khomeini overthrew the U.S.-backed Pahlavi dynasty in 1979, Iran has established an Islamic Republic with a theocratic government, currently led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, this country of 92 million people is facing severe challenges, with inflation soaring over 50%, ranking among the highest globally, and worsening living conditions fueling anti-government sentiments.

Lawmakers fear intervention could repeat history

Despite threats of sanctions from the Trump administration, there are divisions within the U.S. over whether to intervene in Iran. Democratic Senator Mark Warner warned that history has shown the dangers of U.S. intervention, citing the 1953 U.S.-backed overthrow of the Iranian government as an example, which triggered a chain reaction leading to the rise of anti-American Islamic regimes in the 1970s.

Republican Senator Rand Paul also expressed reservations, stating on ABC that “the U.S. government’s job is not to participate in every global freedom movement,” and warned that bombing Iran could provoke nationalism and cause the public to support the government. However, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, on Fox News, urged Trump to take action, “encourage protesters and make the dictatorship feel fear,” believing that only through concrete action would U.S. interests be best served.

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