The Trump administration has reportedly begun talks to explore options on how to carry out a potential attack on Iran, including non-military options. This comes as President Donald Trump warned of "very strong" options on Iran if Tehran contravenes his warnings on killing protestors.
Trump was briefed on a wide array of military and covert tools that can be used against Iran, which also includes cyber operations and psychological campaigns that can disrupt Iranian command structures, communications, and state-run media, CBS News quoted US Defense Department officials.
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While airpower and long-range missiles still remain central to the discussions, the officials are also actively considering an integrated operation which has cyber and psychological operations simultaneously with traditional military force. They could also deploy cyber operations as a standalone option.
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However, the report did not mention which digital infrastructure is under consideration for targeting in Iran or what, exactly, the psychological campaign against Iran's state-run media would look like.
If Trump moves ahead with cyber operations, this won’t be the first time Iran has faced it. In 2021, Iranian gas stations came under cyberattack. Though the US and Israel did not take responsibility for the same, Iran had blamed it on them. In 2019, Iran claimed to have busted a CIA spy ring following a cyberattack on weapons systems. There were speculations that the operation was led by the US.
“It’s quite likely that nonmilitary options are also being considered. These could include a complete economic blockade of Iran to prevent its oil exports to China or cyberattacks that disrupt the communication and decision-making systems of Iranian security agencies,” Ali Vaez, Iran project director for the International Crisis Group, told Radio Farda.
There are also speculations that the US is looking at restoring internet communications in Iran, as its leaders have cut off internet and phone services in the country. “We may get the internet going, if that’s possible,” Trump told reporters the other day. “We may speak to Elon Musk. I’m going to call him as soon as I’m finished with you.” Iran has rep
