CBS: Air power, long-range missiles central to US military plans on Iran

Air power and long-range missiles remain central to any potential US military response to Iran, but American defence planners are also considering cyber and psychological operations as part of a broader set of options presented to President Donald Trump, US officials told CBS News.

According to two Defence Department officials speaking on condition of anonymity, President Trump has been briefed on a wide range of military and covert tools that go well beyond conventional airstrikes. These options include cyber operations and psychological campaigns designed to disrupt Iran’s command structures, communications networks, and state-run media.

The president’s national security team is expected to hold a meeting at the White House on January 13 to discuss updated options regarding Iran, according to several sources familiar with the matter. It remains unclear whether Trump himself will attend the meeting.

Military planners have described these cyber and psychological measures as part of what they call “integrated operations,” meaning they could be used alongside traditional military force or deployed as stand-alone measures.

The officials did not provide details on which elements of Iran’s digital infrastructure might be targeted or how a psychological campaign against state media would be carried out.

US officials emphasised that no final decision has been made and that diplomatic channels remain open. However, they said the expanded range of military, cyber, and influence options indicates Washington is preparing for scenarios in which any conflict could extend beyond conventional battlefield strikes into sustained digital and psychological campaigns.

The discussions come as anti-government protests continue across Iran. Demonstrations have been reported in all 31 provinces and have entered a third week. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency says it has verified the deaths of at least 544, most reportedly shot at close range with live ammunition or pellet guns.

President Trump has warned for weeks that the United States may intervene if Iranian security forces continue to kill protesters. Speaking to reporters on January 11, he said Iran’s leadership had indicated it wanted to negotiate, but stressed that the US military was “looking at some very strong options.”

By Sabina Mammadli