Reports show that Iranian citizens were alerted by mobile phones as the threats of US President Donald Trump increased and he pledged to take decisive action with regards to the Iranian nuclear program. One of the sources in the region quoted the Iranians saying, US President was a man of action. Wait and see,” and emergency messages posted of the possibility of strikes in the wake of unsuccessful diplomacy. Trump has given a 10-day deadline and sent in massive forces, which Tehran is preparing to face conflict, with oil prices in the world market soaring.
Escalating US-Iran Tensions
The rhetoric of Trump increased following June 2025 airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, supposedly destroying the program but intelligence disagreements. His threat to the US of bad things in the absence of a deal by February 2026 looked at targets such as IRGC headquarters, missile locations and enrichment facilities. On February 26, negotiators go to Geneva to make final-minute talks, but Trump considers a partial strike to compel compliance, which may be followed up by regime change.
Advisers explain that Trump prefers to strike first with precision strikes and then increase operations in case Ayatollah Khamenei opposes restrictions on weapons-grade uranium enrichment to bomb levels. Demanding zero-enrichment Iran insists on NPT privileges on civil fuel.
Phone Alerts and Iranian Response.
Iranians received urgent SMS notifications, according to sources, amid Trump’s Truth Social fire, such as announcing an Armada heading to Iran, and regime change as the best outcome. The message positioned Trump as action oriented calling on vigilance as US carriers, jets as well as war ships are amassing in the gulf the largest buildup since the Iraq War. Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister, disregarded threats on CBS when he pledged to retaliate against the bases or allies.
Riot collapse and killings become a source of Trump warning on crackdowns, leaving the post as locked and loaded. Russia called on the de-escalation, denouncing US actions.
The Strategic US Options Evaluated.
Trump has three options pure diplomacy, targeted strikes, or full regime attack. Restrained action may target Natanz/Fordow or IRGC property, an indication of determination but not invasion. A bigger attempt will be a swamping ground, but with waves of attacks on positions, leadership, nukes, with placed positions.
| Option | Targets | Risks | Goals |
| Diplomacy | Nuclear negotiations in Geneva | Iran stalling | Zero deal on enrichment |
| Risky Strike | IRGC HQs, missile bases | Revenge through proxy forces | Concessions of force |
| Regime Change | Leadership, command centers | Regional war, oil shock | Topple Khamenei |
However, it was others such as critics like Gen. Dan Caine, who warned of the dangers of war; Trump declared the reports fake.
International Perspective and Domestic Perceptions.
Economies are shattered by oil hitting over 100/barrel on strike panic. Israel supports Trump, interested in Netanyahu-Rubio encounter. VP JD Vance emphasized that no nukes to Iran, envoy Steve Witoff threatened weeks-away bomb material.
Iranians have two pressures to deal with them: economic turmoil and foreign threat. Trump is repeating past achievements using his peace through strength, but his allies fear wrongful judgment.
Path Forward Amid Crisis
The slim hope of Geneva talks, which include a limited medical enrichment concession, is indicated by Trump, but he is impatient. There are phone alerts that emphasize the mobilization of the people with the mix of rebellion and fear. With the further escalation of the Iran-US crisis (January 2026) triggered by the warning of war readiness, Tehran considers the asymmetry of its responses through Hezbollah, Houthis.
The high stakes gambit by Trump puts to the test America First: prevent nuclear war by deterring it. Wary of his purpose, Iranians are on the alert. It all depends upon the final gasp of diplomacy or the opening fire of bombs.
