Trump mulls Iran strikes to 'reignite protests', regional powers attempt de-escalation

US President Donald Trump is weighing options against Iran that include targeted strikes on security forces and leaders to inspire protesters, multiple sources told Reuters, even as Israeli and Arab officials said air power alone would not topple the government.

Two US sources familiar with the discussions said Trump wanted to create conditions for "regime change" after a crackdown crushed a nationwide protest movement earlier this month, killing thousands of people.

To do so, he was looking at options to hit commanders and institutions that Washington holds responsible for the violence, to give protesters the confidence that they could overrun government and security buildings, they said.

The other US source said Trump has not yet made a final decision on a course of action. The arrival of a US aircraft carrier and supporting warships in the Middle East this week has expanded Trump's capabilities to potentially take military action, after he repeatedly threatened intervention over Iran's crackdown.

Four Arab officials, three Western diplomats, and a senior Western source whose governments were briefed on the discussions said they were concerned that instead of bringing people onto the streets, such strikes could weaken a movement already in shock after the bloodiest repression by authorities since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Trump urged Iran on Wednesday to come to the table and make a deal on nuclear weapons, warning that any future US attack would be more severe than the June bombing campaign against three nuclear sites.

As the prospect of a larger conflagration looms, regional powers have continued diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.

On Thursday, Turkish officials told AFP that Ankara will offer to mediate between Washington and Tehran, amid efforts by Turkish authorities to reinforce their border with Iran in the event of an escalation.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will propose the mediation while hosting a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Friday.

The sources said Fidan will convey that Turkey "is ready to contribute to resolving the current tensions through dialogue".

On Wednesday, Iran's national security chief Ali Larijani spoke with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who expressed support for "efforts aimed at reducing escalation", Qatar's foreign ministry said.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate calls with both Araghchi and senior Trump aide Steve Witkoff, and stressed the need to "work towards de-escalation", the Egyptian foreign ministry said.

The Trump administration is also set to host senior defence and intelligence officials from Israel and Saudi Arabia for talks on Iran this week, Axios reported on Thursday. Saudi Arabia, whose regional rivalry with Tehran appears to have cooled in recent years, has called for de-escalation.

Iran strikes defiant tone

In the face of US threats, Tehran warned on Wednesday that it would retaliate to any attacks, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying that the country's forces have their "fingers on the trigger" to "powerfully respond".

Ali Shamkani, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, posted more stark language warning of conflict and strikes on US ally Israel.

"A limited strike is an illusion," he posted on X.

"Any military action, from America from any origin and at any level, will be considered the start of war, and its response will be immediate, all-out and unprecedented, targeting the heart of Tel Aviv and all supporters of the aggressor."

Also on Wednesday, the official website of Ayatollah Khamenei published a video montage titled "God is Enough", in which the supreme leader urged unity in the face of US threats.

The video opens with images of US B-2 bombers, which are suddenly overtaken by a flock of birds - a Quranic reference to divine help.

Khamenei also made reference to the Battle of Uhud - a 7th-century battle in which the early Muslim community suffered significant losses, leading to the rise of doubters within their ranks. Using footage of a re-enactment of the battle from the 1976 film "The Message", with Khamenei urging in his message against 

On Thursday, Iran's army chief Amir Hatami said his country had added 1,000 drones to its arsenal, vowing a "crushing response" to any attack, state television reported.

"In accordance with the threats we are facing, maintaining and enhancing strategic advantages for rapid combat and a crushing response to any invasion... is always on the army's agenda," Iran's army commander Amir Hatami said, cited by state television.