US President Donald Trump has indicated that the United States military is evaluating "very strong options" for potential action against Iran, as significant anti-government protests continue to intensify across the Islamic Republic. Speaking to reporters, Trump suggested that Iran might have breached a "red line" he previously established concerning the killing of protesters. This stance comes amidst escalating violence within Iran, where demonstrators have once again taken to the streets in major cities like Tehran and Mashhad. Credible rights groups monitoring the unrest have reported a mounting death toll, with at least 538 individuals reportedly killed so far in the ongoing crackdown by Iranian security forces. These figures are particularly concerning given the imposition of a near-total internet blackout, which has severely hampered independent verification of casualties and protester coordination. Iranian officials, in response to Trump's warnings, have adopted a defiant tone. Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, explicitly warned that US military bases in the region and Israel would be considered "legitimate targets" if Washington initiates an attack on the Islamic Republic. The current wave of protests is described as more intense and widespread than previous demonstrations, including the 2022 hijab protests and even the 'Bloody November' of 2019, which also saw a harsh crackdown. International reactions have intensified, with the UN expressing shock at reports of excessive force and urging restraint, while European officials voiced concern and called for the protection of peaceful assembly. The situation underscores a precarious moment in the already tense relationship between the US and Iran, with potential for significant regional destabilization.