By Chi Steadman

In Iran, there are anti-regime protests in response to an economic downturn and a repressive government. President Donald Trump has spoken openly about the idea to intervene if the protesting ends up more bloody.

Trump has made it clear that the military has strong options regarding the situation and is debating what to do about the bloodshed. The Congressional Research Service said, “President Donald Trump has said he is considering intervening to ‘rescue’ protestors. Congress could consider for example: authorizing or restricting U.S. military action.”

While President Trump debates what to do, humanitarian groups are weighing in on the violence in Iran. “While people in Iran are still reeling from the grief and shock of the unprecedented massacres during protest dispersal, the Iranian authorities are waging a coordinated attack on the rights of people in Iran to life, dignity and fundamental freedoms in a criminal bid to terrorize the population into silence,” Diana Ethaway, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North America at Amnesty International, said.

Iran’s Supreme Council of National Security reported that 3,117 people were killed during the uprising on January 21. There is also a concern for mistreatment of surviving protesters. There are about 40,000 people who have been arrested as of January 29.

“If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protestors, the United States will come to their rescue,” Trump said in a social media post January 2 . “We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”

Later, President Trump released another comment to say “HELP IS ON ITS WAY,” showing that he is considering what move to make to aid Iran protesters against their regime.