Washington DC: The United States is considering the possibility of a military strike against Iran as early as this weekend, though President Donald Trump has not taken a final decision, according to a CNN report.
The development comes after recent discussions between US and Iranian delegations in Geneva, Switzerland, aimed at reviving negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that while the Geneva talks resulted in some progress, significant differences remain between the two sides. She noted that Iran is expected to present further details in the coming weeks, adding that the US administration will closely monitor the situation.
“There was some progress, but major gaps still exist on key issues. We expect additional inputs from the Iranian side soon, and the President will evaluate the developments carefully,” Leavitt told reporters.
She emphasised that diplomacy remains the preferred course of action for President Trump, but also warned that Iran should move towards a negotiated agreement to avoid further escalation.
The tensions come against the backdrop of widespread unrest within Iran. Large-scale protests began on December 28, 2025, initially driven by economic distress, including high inflation and the sharp decline of the Iranian currency. What started as business shutdowns in Tehran quickly spread to multiple cities across the country.
As demonstrations grew, many protesters began voicing political demands, making the movement one of the most serious challenges to the Iranian leadership in decades. Authorities responded with strict measures, including deploying security forces and imposing a nationwide internet and communication blackout in early January 2026.
The United States has expressed support for the right of Iranians to protest peacefully and has imposed additional visa restrictions on Iranian officials over alleged human rights violations during the crackdown. Iranian authorities, however, have rejected international criticism, accusing foreign powers of interfering in the country’s internal affairs.
