Iran Protests: Trump's Shifting Stance Amidst US Military Action Uncertainty

• Widespread protests erupted in Iran in December 2025 due to a severe economic crisis, inflation, and unemployment, posing the biggest challenge to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's clerical establishment since 1979.
• Iranian authorities responded with a brutal crackdown, including live fire, mass arrests, and an internet blackout, leading to the bloodiest uprising since the Islamic Revolution.
• US President Donald Trump initially threatened military action against Tehran but later moderated his rhetoric, citing reports of reduced killings in Iran.
• Despite Trump's softer stance, other US officials, including UN Ambassador Mike Waltz and Senator Lindsey Graham, continue to advocate for strong action, with Waltz stating "all options are on the table."
• Middle Eastern countries like Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar urged Trump to avoid strikes, fearing regional destabilization and economic impact, while Graham criticized their intervention.

Why It Matters: Iran faces ongoing instability with brutal crackdowns, economic woes, and uncertain US military intervention.