WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — Vice President JD Vance is set to lead an Iran strategy meeting with members of his national security team, a source confirmed with NewsNation.
News of the Tuesday afternoon meeting comes as President Donald Trump encouraged protesters in Iran earlier that morning as he weighs possible military action in response to Iran’s deadly crackdown on anti-government protests.
“Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!
The president is set to meet with senior national security advisers on Tuesday to review next steps, and military strikes are reportedly among the options under consideration. Any show of force could place tens of thousands of U.S. troops in the Middle East at risk of retaliation.
The discussions come as Iranians make their first phone calls since communications were partially restored, describing a heavy security presence in cities there.
More than 2,000 protesters killed in Iran
Activists tell the Associated Press that more than 2,000 protesters have been killed, while more than 10,600 people have been detained during the two weeks of unrest, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
Iran says it remains open to diplomacy but is “prepared for war.”
Trump says Tehran has reached out to negotiate a possible nuclear deal. A source with the administration told NewsNation the president has a range of options as he weighs a final decision.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Iran’s public rhetoric diverges from the private messaging the administration has received from Tehran in recent days.
“I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages,” Leavitt said. “However, with that said, the president has shown he’s unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary, and nobody knows that better than Iran.”
US citizens warned to leave Iran
Amid the unrest, the Trump administration urged U.S. citizens to leave Iran immediately.
The U.S. Virtual Embassy Iran warned Americans living in the country to “expect continued internet outages, plan alternative means of communication, and, if safe to do so, consider departing Iran by land to Armenia or Türkiye.”
Iran vows strikes on US bases if attacked
Iran has threatened to target U.S. military bases and ships in the region if the United States responds with force.
Military data show more than 30,000 U.S. service members are stationed within range of Iran’s short-range missiles, with another 9,000 potentially within reach of its medium-range ballistic missiles.
Trump also warned Monday that countries doing business with Iran will face a 25% tariff. Trump announced the tariffs in a social media post, saying they would be “effective immediately.”
Trump’s decision carries implications beyond Iran. Israel is on alert level, Gulf nations are closely monitoring shipping lanes, and NATO is watching closely — as whatever the U.S. decides could reshape the region.