January 15, 2026 l By Stephen — Dalena Reporters
WASHINGTON/TEHRAN — As widespread protests and political turmoil continue to grip Iran, senior U.S. officials and allied sources indicate that the United States is weighing potential military action against Tehran, with some assessments suggesting a possible strike could occur in the coming days if diplomatic and political pressures escalate further.
The developments unfold amid a backdrop of intense civil unrest in Iran that has drawn international condemnation for the government’s forceful response. U.S. President Donald Trump publicly stated that he has been told the killing of protesters appears to be subsiding, and that plans for mass executions have been shelved remarks that stopped short of ruling out the use of force.
“We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping it’s stopped it’s stopping,” Trump said at the White House, adding that there were “no plans for executions” at present but that the situation was under continuous review.
Despite this statement, multiple Western and regional diplomatic sources told Reuters that U.S. military intervention against Iranian targets could occur within 24 hours, reflecting escalating alarm among some Western capitals over Tehran’s domestic crackdown and foreign policy posture.
Iranian leaders have fiercely rejected external pressure, with senior officials warning of decisive retaliation against both U.S. and Israeli targets should such action take place. Iran has also advised neighboring states to brace for fallout and temporarily closed airspace amid the uncertainty.
In response to rising tensions, U.S. forces have begun precautionary measures, including the partial evacuation of personnel from the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a key hub for American and allied operations in the Middle East. The move underscores the strategic balancing act between deterrence and escalation.
U.S. national security officials have reportedly been meeting in recent days to assess options, from increased sanctions and cyber operations to limited precision strikes on regime targets. These discussions reflect concerns that continued inaction could embolden Iranian leadership to further repress internal dissent or expand regional conflict dynamics.
Regional allies, particularly Israel, have also signalled heightened alertness. Reports from Jerusalem suggest Israeli defence forces are on standby, anticipating possible military action that could spark Iranian retaliation through proxy networks or missile strikes.
International diplomats are warning that military engagement carries risks including wider Middle East destabilisation, retaliatory attacks on U.S. and allied forces, and potential disruptions to global oil supplies, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical transit point for international energy markets. Analysts caution that any strike, even a limited one, would demand careful calibration to avoid unintentional escalation.
The Trump administration has so far used a combination of tough rhetoric, diplomatic pressure and economic sanctions, alongside public support for Iranian demonstrators, as part of its approach to the crisis. Yet the open declaration that help for protesters is “on its way” without specifics has intensified speculation over military options, even as the president emphasises monitoring the situation closely.
With rapid developments on multiple fronts diplomatic, military and humanitarian global attention remains fixated on Tehran and Washington, as governments and international organisations scramble to prevent the current crisis from spiralling into full-scale conflict.