Trump Weighs Iran Strike as White House Receives Detailed List of 50 Military Targets

WASHINGTON : The administration of Donald Trump has reportedly been presented with a detailed list of Iranian military and internal security targets, signaling a sharp escalation in U.S. contingency planning as the president seriously considers a possible strike on Iran amid rising regional and domestic tensions.

According to reporting by the Daily Mail, a comprehensive dossier identifying 50 high-value Iranian targets was delivered to the White House early Monday morning, just ahead of a series of high-level National Security Council (NSC) meetings. The document was prepared by United Against Nuclear Iran, a Washington-based organization known for advocating a hard-line approach toward Tehran and stricter measures to counter Iran’s military and nuclear ambitions.

Focus on Iran’s Internal Repression Apparatus

The dossier reportedly places particular emphasis on facilities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), especially units associated with internal security and protest suppression, rather than conventional battlefield forces.

At the center of the list is the IRGC’s “Tharallah” (also spelled “Tarallah”) headquarters in Tehran, described as the primary command hub for quelling mass demonstrations in the capital. According to the assessment cited in the report, the headquarters plays a decisive role in coordinating riot control units, directing arrests of activists, and managing rapid-response operations during periods of unrest.

The dossier also identifies regional IRGC sub-headquarters across Tehran and at least 23 IRGC-Basij bases embedded within densely populated urban districts. These installations are described as critical nodes for surveillance, mobilization of paramilitary forces, and neighborhood-level enforcement, giving the regime the ability to respond swiftly to emerging protests.

Strategic Timing Before Key White House Meetings

The delivery of the target list comes amid intensifying U.S.–Iran tensions, including concerns over Iran’s missile development, regional proxy activity, and the future of its nuclear program, as well as recurring waves of anti-government protests inside Iran driven by economic hardship and political repression.

Sources cited in the report say the dossier was handed over just hours before crucial NSC deliberations, suggesting it was intended to shape policy discussions as the administration evaluates a spectrum of options — ranging from expanded sanctions and covert actions to limited, targeted military strikes.

While no official decision has been announced, analysts note that the inclusion of exact coordinates and operational descriptions indicates that planning has advanced beyond theoretical scenarios into actionable military intelligence.

High-risk Implications of Striking Tehran Targets

Experts warn that targeting IRGC and Basij infrastructure inside Tehran would mark a significant escalation compared with previous U.S. actions, which have largely avoided direct strikes on regime security centers within the capital. Such targets are deeply intertwined with Iran’s internal stability, raising the risk of civilian casualties, rapid retaliation, and regional escalation.

The White House has declined to publicly confirm receipt of the dossier, and U.S. officials have not commented on specific military planning. Iranian leaders, meanwhile, have repeatedly stated that any U.S. attack on Iranian soil would trigger a swift and comprehensive response.

An Uncertain Path Forward

For now, the dossier represents one of several inputs informing an increasingly tense policy debate in Washington. Whether it becomes a blueprint for military action or a tool for political and diplomatic pressure remains unclear. What is evident is that the presentation of a detailed, coordinates-based target list marks a new and more concrete phase in U.S.–Iran confrontation, bringing the prospect of direct conflict closer to the center of decision-making at the White House.