Trump to be briefed Tuesday on options to respond to Iran protests - WSJ

Iranians living in the United Kingdom, across Europe, Turkey, and in Australia held rallies over the weekend in support of nationwide protests in Iran, chanting slogans against Iran’s leadership and voicing backing for Prince Reza Pahlavi.

Demonstrations were reported in Glasgow, Scotland, as well as in Gothenburg, Sweden and the Netherlands, where protesters chanted slogans including “death to Khamenei” and “Long live the Shah,” according to videos received by Iran International.

London and Istanbul saw rallies by Iranians and activists on Sunday outside Iran’s embassy and consulate in support of nationwide protests in Iran.

Protesters also gathered at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate backing protests in Iran.

In Melbourne, Australia, Iranians also held a large rally on Sunday, chanting “Long live the Shah” in solidarity with protesters inside Iran.

The Senate Republican Conference voiced support for the people of Iran amid nationwide protests.

“The people of Iran were the first victims of the murderous Ayatollahs. President Trump is right to stand with the Iranian people,” the group said in a post on X.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel is closely monitoring developments in Iran as protests spread across the country.

“Israel is closely monitoring developments in Iran. The demonstrations for freedom have spread across the country. The people of Israel, and indeed the entire world, marvel at the immense bravery of the citizens of Iran,” Netanyahu said at the start of his cabinet meeting.

“We all hope that the Persian nation will soon be freed from the yoke of tyranny.”

Israel’s military chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, held situational assessments over the weekend in light of the protests in Iran, the Times of Israel reported.

The Israeli military is treating the escalating anti-government protests as an internal Iranian matter, the report said.

However, after Iranian threats on Sunday to attack US and Israeli targets, the military is staying operationally prepared and ready to respond if necessary.

Separately, Israel’s Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee will hold a meeting on Wednesday to assess the situation.

"After Thursday the Iranian regime was significantly concerned and conducted a serious reassessment of the situation," an Israeli defense official with knowledge of the intelligence on Iran was quoted as saying in the report.

While US military strikes on Iranian targets are among the options under discussion, many within the Trump administration believe major kinetic action at this stage would undercut the protest movement, according to a US official.

Other options include measures aimed at deterring Tehran, such as announcing that a US aircraft carrier strike group is heading to the region.

The official said the administration is also considering cyberattacks and information operations targeting the Iranian government.

Israeli and US officials also told Axios they believe the true death toll is likely several times higher than the 116 reported on Saturday by the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).