Inside the Oval Office, a fierce tug-of-war is determining the fate of the Middle East. While President Trump publicly threatens "very strong options" against Iran, sources reveal that his inner circle is deeply divided on whether to pull the trigger.

On one side are the "Regime Change Hawks," led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA advisors, who argue that the Iranian protests represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to topple the Ayatollahs. They are urging Trump to authorize strikes on IRGC bases to "break the back" of the repression.

The "Restraint" Caucus

On the other side are the military pragmatists and regional allies. The Pentagon has reportedly warned that a US strike could unify the Iranian public behind the regime, undoing the protests. Qatar and Saudi Arabia have also sent urgent cables warning that Iranian missiles are aimed at their oil fields if the US attacks.

• The Intelligence Gap: The administration is flying blind. With the internet blackout in Iran, US intelligence relies on spotty signals intercept. "We don't know if the regime is cracking or consolidating," an official admitted.
• The Trump Factor: The President is described as "conflicted." He wants the credit for "liberating" Iran but is wary of getting bogged down in another Middle Eastern quagmire ahead of the midterms.

The Decisive Briefing

A critical National Security Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday. Trump will be presented with updated casualty figures and target lists. The decision will likely hinge on whether he believes the Iranian opposition is strong enough to take power—or if a US strike would simply create a power vacuum filled by chaos.