U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Washington is evaluating “strong options” in response to ongoing protests in Iran, including potential military action.
“We’re looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options. We’ll make a determination,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One late Sunday while traveling from Florida to Washington.
Trump added that Iran had reached out following his threats, seeking to negotiate, and that a “meeting is being set up.” However, he cautioned that the United States might have to act before any meeting takes place.
His remarks came as Iranian leaders issued stern warnings against foreign intervention. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said, “In the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories [Israel], as well as all U.S. bases and ships, will be our legitimate target.”
The unrest in Iran began on December 28 when merchants at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar closed their shops following a steep fall in the Iranian rial. The demonstrations rapidly spread nationwide, initially fueled by economic grievances over rising living costs and quickly evolving into broader opposition against the clerical establishment that has governed Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 security personnel have been killed during the unrest. Authorities have not confirmed the number of civilian casualties, though opposition activists abroad estimate that hundreds of protesters may have died.
A nationwide internet blackout has persisted for more than 72 hours, according to monitoring organizations, making independent verification of events increasingly difficult.
The unrest coincides with Trump’s assertive foreign policy moves, including the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and discussions over acquiring Greenland through purchase or force.
A U.S. official told Reuters that Trump is scheduled to meet with senior advisers on Tuesday to discuss the country’s options in Iran. Reports in the Wall Street Journal indicated that measures under consideration include targeted military strikes, deployment of secret cyber capabilities, expansion of sanctions, and provision of online support to antigovernment groups.
Trump also said he plans to engage with billionaire Elon Musk to explore restoring internet services in Iran. “He’s very good at that kind of thing, he’s got a very good company,” Trump told reporters, referring to Musk’s SpaceX, which operates the Starlink satellite internet system currently used in Iran.
In addition to Iran, Trump addressed his administration’s plans for Greenland and Venezuela. On Greenland, he urged the Danish Arctic territory to “make a deal” and stated, “we are talking about acquiring it, not making a short-term deal.” Regarding Venezuela, Trump confirmed a scheduled meeting with opposition leader María Corina Machado on Tuesday or Wednesday.
With inputs from ALJAZEERA