Top Trump administration officials met Tuesday to further refine a set of options for the president to take action against Iran amid its deadly crackdown on protesters.

Trump ordered military assets positioned for a potential strike on Iran, the WSJ reports, as advisers warn a large attack could spark wider conflict.

A U.S. military aircraft carrier is in motion toward the Middle East amid rising tensions against the Iranian regime, well-placed military sources have confirmed to Fox News.

Reza Pahlavi told TIME that protesters in Iran are counting on the U.S. President to intervene as the regime kills demonstrators by the thousands.

Christopher Friedman, a probation officer in Washington state, told ABC News that he voted for Trump mainly based on domestic issues such as crime and the economy. He said he felt indifferent about the Venezuela operations, since he does not feel any direct impact to his life or know anyone from there.

As waves of protests have tested the Iranian regime’s ability to manage dissent, the country with arguably the most to gain has been waiting in the wings, reluctant to intervene even when its regional adversary is at its most vulnerable point in years.

Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has outlined his vision for a democratic Iran on social media. His plan includes ending a pursuit of nuclear weapons, confronting drug trafficking, and recognizing Israel.

The United States is withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East, a U.S. official said on Wednesday, after a senior Iranian official said Tehran had warned neighbours it would hit American bases if Washington strikes.