Summary:Trump to receive formal briefing on Iran response optionsMeasures include sanctions, cyber tools and possible strikesPentagon has not repositioned forces yetStarlink internet access under considerationRisk of regional escalation remains highWall Street Journal with the report, link. The United States is stepping up contingency planning for possible action against Iran, with President Donald Trump set to receive a formal briefing from senior officials on Tuesday covering a range of military, cyber and economic responses to Tehran’s crackdown on anti-government protests, according to people familiar with the discussions.The meeting is expected to include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine. Officials stress that deliberations remain at an early stage and that no final decisions are expected this week.Options under review include expanding sanctions on Iran’s leadership and security services, deploying covert cyber tools against military and civilian infrastructure, and considering limited military strikes. Another proposal involves sending Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran to help protesters circumvent recent government-imposed internet shutdowns.The discussions come amid heightened regional tensions and increasingly forceful rhetoric from Trump, who has warned Tehran against using lethal force on demonstrators and said the US is prepared to act if protesters are killed. Iranian officials have responded by threatening attacks on US military bases should Washington intervene.Despite the tough language, the Pentagon has not repositioned forces for potential strikes. The US would need to deploy assets both to conduct operations and to protect personnel across the Middle East. Recent movements have left the US without an aircraft carrier stationed in either the Middle East or Europe, underlining the preliminary nature of the planning.Some administration officials have raised concerns that overt US or Israeli intervention could bolster Iranian regime claims that the protests are being orchestrated by foreign powers, potentially undermining the movement’s domestic legitimacy. Others warn that symbolic measures that fail to weaken the regime could disillusion protesters expecting tangible US support.The talks follow recent US strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria and ongoing coordination with Israel on regional security, underscoring the risk that any move on Iran could escalate into a broader confrontation. This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.