On Saturday, President Donald Trump said the U.S. is 'ready to help' Iranian people pursuing freedom, a statement made amid internal early discussions by U.S. senior officials on how to carry out a military strike against Iran if ordered.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Iran as 'yearning for freedom more than ever,' and stated that the U.S. is prepared to support that direction.
These remarks coincided with a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report that senior Biden administration officials had privately reviewed potential attack options, including large-scale airstrikes on Iranian military facilities. While such scenarios were discussed, they were not finalized.
U.S. government officials familiar with the matter told the WSJ that these discussions are still in the preliminary stages and do not reflect actual attack decisions.
The military redeployment anticipated in response to potential hostilities has not yet occurred, and currently, discussions remain at a conceptual level rather than concrete operational planning.
Context of protests and U.S. statements
In Iran, protests against poor economic conditions and political repression over the past few weeks have spread across major cities, leading to the most widespread demonstrations in years.
Security forces have responded with force, arresting hundreds and increasing fatalities. At the same time, internet blackouts have restricted independent reporting from within the country.
Trump's supportive message continues a series of similar statements by U.S. lawmakers calling for support for the Iranian protesters.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz said that U.S. public opinion generally supports the Iranian protesters and noted that Trump has reinforced this stance.
Inside U.S. planning for a strike on Iran
According to related reporting, one of the scenarios under review includes a large-scale aerial attack targeting Iranian military objectives.
However, officials emphasize that there is no consensus on this approach, and early-stage discussions about airstrikes should not be interpreted as signals of imminent military action, but rather as part of standard emergency planning for geopolitical conflict zones.
Strategic planners maintain various contingency options in preparation for potential conflicts, but the process of concretizing and approving military plans is followed by a multi-layered review of regional stability, diplomatic repercussions, and legal legitimacy.
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Market risks and geopolitical ripple effects
As geopolitical risks escalate, traditional markets such as commodities and equities, as well as increasingly digital assets, are all affected.
In past Middle East tensions, risk-sensitive assets like Bitcoin exhibited high volatility, and when investor sentiment shifted toward risk aversion, they tended to move in line with traditional markets.
Analysts point out that the cryptocurrency market may exhibit different patterns from traditional assets during geopolitical events. In some cases, recovery phases have followed an initial drop, depending on changes in the macro environment.
This complexity highlights the dual nature of Bitcoin and other digital assets as both risk assets and potential hedge instruments, depending on broader financial conditions.
A broader geopolitical context
U.S.-Iran tensions stem from historical factors including concerns over nuclear proliferation, regional power competition, and proxy conflicts.
Past attacks on Iran's nuclear and military facilities have triggered Iranian retaliation and long-term regional instability.
Iran's leadership has repeatedly stated that it does not want a war with the United States and its allies, while also asserting that it is prepared for self-defense.
Diplomatic efforts, including negotiations over the possibility of easing sanctions related to Iran's 2025 nuclear program, have created another track of negotiation.
The negotiations at the time proposed step-by-step measures such as uranium enrichment limits, enhanced inspections, and easing sanctions, but they have not yet led to a sustainable agreement.
Uncertain future path
Currently, specific logistical discussions about potential airstrikes remain at an early stage, and Trump's public statements have not reached the level of promising actual operation execution.
The administration maintains its position of supporting the Iranian protesters while also needing to carefully balance regional security and complex global diplomatic alliances.
As geopolitical risks intensify, financial markets—including the cryptocurrency market—will attempt to price in both rising tensions and the possibility of diplomatic resolution, illustrating how distant political developments can impact global financial conditions.
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