John Fetterman Reiterates Support For 'Targeted Efforts' To Topple Iranian Regime As Protests Rage On

Democratic Sen. John Fetterman reiterated his support for "targeted efforts" to topple the Iranian regime as protests rage on in the country.

"Today at the Capitol, these people are demanding + fighting for a democratic Iran. I'm proud to stand and support this noble cause. I continue to support targeted efforts to help break this vicious regime that is killing thousands of its own citizens," Fetterman said in a social media post.

The Trump administration continues to assess the possibility of intervening in the protests, with the president saying on Tuesday that it is a "good idea for Americans to leave Iran."

Also on Tuesday, Trump encouraged Iranians to "KEEP PROTESTING." In a social media post he urged them to "TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS" and "Save the names of the killers and abusers." "HELP IS ON ITS WAY," he concluded.

The BBC reported on Tuesday that Trump has been briefed on several covert and military tools that could be used in the country. Long-range missile strikes are an option, but officials have so far presented cyber operations and psychological responses. The president's national security team is expected to hold another meeting on Tuesday to discuss options.

Moreover, the U.S. Embassy in Iran advised U.S. citizens to leave the country "now" and "have a plan for departing Iran that does not rely on U.S. government help."

"Protests across Iran are escalating and may turn violent, resulting in arrests and injuries. Increased security measures, road closures, public transportation disruptions, and internet blockages are ongoing," reads a passage of the alert.

The Iranian regime may have killed as many as 20,000 people in its crackdown of the protests that have roiled the country for days, according to a new report.

Citing two sources, including one inside the country, CBS News detailed that at least 12,000 people have been killed in the country, meaning that the toll is far higher than activists outside the country have been reporting.

Determining the scale of the crackdown has been difficult given the fact that the Tehran regime has implemented a complete internet shutdown in the country, which has gone on for a fifth day now.

The outlet noted that some people were able to get in touch with others outside Iran, but it was still not possible to call Iran from the outside.

Elsewhere in the report, the source told CBS News that security forces are going to private hospitals across Tehran and threatening staff to hand over the names and addresses of those who sustained injuries during the protests.

Iranian officials have not provided data of the crackdown, largely because they have downplayed their extent. Some have also blamed the protests on foreign influenced "terrorists."