U.S. intelligence has briefed President Donald Trump that the position of Iran’s ruling ayatollahs is more fragile than at any point since 1979, when the Islamic Revolution toppled the pro-Western government of the shah. This was reported by The New York Times, citing its sources.

According to the paper, Iran is grappling with severe economic and political pressures and is approaching a critical state. Western analysts, the report says, largely agree that strikes against Iran are likely. The remaining uncertainty centers on how extensive those strikes might be.

U.S. officials are said to be weighing two main scenarios. One option envisions large-scale attacks on Iran’s key military and infrastructure systems. The other would involve more limited, targeted strikes aimed at Iranian officials and military figures accused of involvement in the suppression of protests and the killing of demonstrators.

Sources cited by the newspaper indicate that U.S. forces could carry out strikes in the near future. Within the White House, the possibility of a change of power in Iran has not been ruled out.

At the same time, Washington has significantly reinforced its military presence in the Middle East. The buildup includes the deployment of an aircraft carrier group with 12 °F-15E fighter jets, as well as Patriot and THAAD air defense systems equipped with interceptor missiles to guard against a potential Iranian missile response.

Despite these preparations, sources note that there is still no full consensus within the Trump administration on whether to proceed with military action. The president is seeking a rapid and decisive outcome, while some of his advisers remain skeptical that the Iranian regime would collapse quickly.