President Donald Trump is considering military options in response to protests in Iran, signaling a potential shift toward a more interventionist foreign policy despite uncertain domestic support.
Trump Weighs Military Response to Iran Protests
As protests continue in Iran against the clerical rule of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, resulting in more than 1,000 deaths by one count, Trump stated the U.S. is “exploring military options.” He added that the military is reviewing potential courses of action, noting “there are a couple of options.”
Responding to reporters on Jan. 11 after a weekend trip to Mar-a-Lago, Florida, Trump rhetorically questioned what specifics he would reveal, asking, “Are you asking me to say what will I do, where will I attack, when and what angle we will attack from?” He indicated he receives hourly reports and will make a determination, while also leaving open the possibility of a meeting with Iranian leaders.
These remarks represent Trump’s strongest statements since a Jan. 3 social media post where he vowed the U.S. would “rescue” protesters if the demonstrations turned violent.
Shifting Foreign Policy and Public Reaction
The potential for further military action in Iran, following an alleged attack on nuclear facilities in June 2025, comes shortly after a recent operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The action against Maduro has generated public uncertainty, with many Americans questioning the move.
Despite this, a significant portion of Trump’s base remains supportive. According to Matthew Continetti, director of domestic policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, approximately 72% of Make America Great Again (MAGA) voters support American activism in Venezuela in pursuit of national interest, based on an unpublished poll by the Vandenberg Coalition.
The poll also found that 70% of these voters believe the U.S. should support the Venezuelan people and their elected leaders in restoring democracy. Continetti noted that Trump’s voters prioritize secure borders, strong defenses, and deterred enemies, and are willing to allocate resources to achieve these goals.
However, broader public opinion is more divided. A Washington Post/SSRS poll revealed that 42% of Americans disapproved of Maduro’s extraction, while 40% approved. A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed even less support, with only one in three Americans favoring the action. Both polls highlighted a stark partisan divide, with Republicans largely approving and Democrats largely disapproving.
Concerns were also raised regarding the lack of Congressional approval for the Venezuela operation and the potential for a wider U.S. role, particularly following Trump’s remarks about the U.S. potentially “running the country” until a “proper and judicious transition” takes place. A majority of Americans (94%) believe that choosing a new government should be a matter for Venezuelans.
Broader Interventionist Actions
Beyond Iran and Venezuela, Trump has also discussed potential action in Greenland, citing its importance to U.S. national security. He has also mentioned Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico as potential targets.
Over the past year, the Trump administration conducted over 620 air strikes in seven countries, including Somalia, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and Nigeria, significantly exceeding the approximately 70 ordered by former President Joe Biden during his entire term.
Professor Benjamin Radd, a political scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, suggests that public support for further military action remains tentative. He believes Trump may struggle to gain the same level of support or indifference he received for the Venezuela operation.
“Trump sees these actions as consistent with his MAGA agenda. Whether he can make that case to the broader electorate and his supporters in Congress remains to be seen. But there is no question that it is consistent with his world view and that of his closest advisers,” Radd said.
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