DONALD Trump is weighing up military action on Iran as he reportedly looks to oust the twisted regime from power by inspiring fresh protests.
The Ayatollah’s grip on power appears to be crumbling with the European Union now threatening to place his evil security forces on a terror blacklist over their brutal crackdown on demonstrators.
Fears up to 36,500 people may have died at the hands of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s orders after nationwide protests against his rule erupted.
Civilians were gunned down on the streets with heartbroken families left to search through rows of body bags to help identify the dead.
Trump immediately vowed action after hearing about the horrors and has now deployed a massive fleet of warships to face-off with Iran.
He announced a “massive Armada” – led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln – is prepared to strike with “speed and violence” if necessary.
The US president warned the Ayatollah on Wednesday that “time is running out” to strike a deal with the US to stop a potential conflict.
Sources have now claimed Trump may launch strikes on Tehran’s leadership in order to bring about a fresh uprising across the country.
Trump is determined to help facilitate a “regime change” in Iran and believes it can be done through a mixture of strikes and renewed protests.
Washington’s strikes could target Khamenei’s top brass and those responsible for the civilian killings, two US sources have claimed.
This would help weaken the already struggling regime to a point where protesters have the confidence to try and overthrow the government and security buildings, it has been said.
Trump and his allies in the Middle East would get what they want and US casualties would be minimised with foreign boots effectively never having to enter Iranian territory.
Another potential option is a much larger and definitive strike, the source says.
An option reportedly being discussed by Trump’s aides is to launch a barrage of strikes on Iran’s ballistic missiles stockpile or its nuclear enrichment programs.
Trump has already attacked a number of nuclear sites in strikes last summer named Operation Midnight Hammer.
Alternatively, Washington is still looking to resolve the rising tensions diplomatically without the use of force.
Trump urged Tehran to negotiate before it is too late, stressing: “Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal – NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS – one that is good for all parties.”
Global allies of the US are all supporting Trump on a potential plan.
Sir Keir Starmer said the UK agrees that something must be done to ensure Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons.
He told reporters out in Beijing: “The big issue, the big challenge here, is to ensure that Iran doesn’t get a nuclear programme and we all absolutely agree on that.
“We’re working with allies to that end, and that is the central focus I’m doing with our allies.”
The EU has also announced stinging terror sanctions on Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps – the armed forces responsible for the protest horrors.
The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas said the IRGC must be punished immediately to push the nation’s regime to the brink of collapse.
She said: “If you act as a terrorist, you should also be treated as a terrorist.
“This will put them (IRGC) on the same footing with al-Qaida, Hamas, Daesh.”
The strong move would place renewed pressure on Iran’s failing economy after its rial currency fell to a record low on Thursday.
Trump’s ‘time is running out’ threat
Read Donald Trump’s full and powerful warning to Iran below…
A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose.
It is a larger fleet, headed by the great Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln, than that sent to Venezuela.
Like with Venezuela, it is, ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary.
Hopefully Iran will quickly “Come to the Table” and negotiate a fair and equitable deal – NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS – one that is good for all parties.
Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!
As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL!
They didn’t, and there was “Operation Midnight Hammer,” a major destruction of Iran.
The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again.
Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP
But a defiant Iran is refusing to back down.
They threatened to strike back “like never before” if the US launches a single attack.
The regime has warned that any US-linked military base in the Middle East which sits within the 700km range of their ballistic missiles would instantly become a target.
Iranian-proxy terror groups, Houthi and Hezbollah, both vowed to support Tehran with an offensive if the US wants a war.
Trump can call for support on several nations close to Iran with US forces spread across the region.
Over 23,500 troops are stationed across Kuwait and Qatar with another 20,000 from Bahrain, UAE, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Trump also has forces in Iraq, Syria and support from Israel.
