'Inappropriate to say': Trump may still be considering CIA-led uprising in Iran

What Happened

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump, during unscheduled questions in the Oval Office, declined to say whether he would authorize the CIA to arm Iranians to encourage a violent uprising, responding 'I'd love to tell you that, but it wouldn't be appropriate to say.' The exchange came one day after Trump posted on TruthSocial asking 'When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight?' and after US strikes on Iran's southern coast killed 18 people, including two children at a wedding, according to the article. Trump said Iranian protesters were 'being shot' and claimed 'close to 65,000 protesters killed,' a figure the article says is unsourced; Iran's own figure is about 3,800 killed.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

Trump's non-denial keeps open the possibility of CIA-backed covert action to foment regime change in Iran, moving beyond conventional military strikes and risking a wider covert war. It ties US military pressure to internal unrest, which could provoke Iranian retaliation against US assets or escalate regional proxy conflicts.

Watch For

Watch for any explicit statement from Trump or US officials on CIA authorization for arming Iranian opposition, further US military strikes on Iranian territory, Iranian government or IRGC responses, and clarification or sourcing of the 65,000 protester death figure. Also monitor whether protests inside Iran resurge in response to Trump's call.