Washington is openly weighing its toughest response so far to Iran’s unrest. President Donald Trump said his administration is reviewing aggressive measures, including possible military action, as nationwide protests grow and Iranian authorities intensify their crackdown, raising fears of a wider confrontation between the two longtime rivals.
Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One late Sunday, Trump said the situation in Iran was being examined closely at the highest levels. He noted that military planners were involved in the discussions and that Washington was considering several hard line choices. According to him, a final decision would come after further evaluation.
Trump also claimed that Iran’s leadership had reached out following his warnings, seeking talks to ease tensions. He said preparations were underway for a possible meeting, but cautioned that the United States could move ahead with action before any negotiations take place, signalling that diplomacy might not slow events.
Iranian officials did not immediately respond to Trump’s remarks. Earlier in the day, senior figures in Tehran delivered firm warnings against foreign interference. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said any attack on Iran would trigger retaliation against Israel and American military assets across the region, including bases and naval vessels.
The protests in Iran erupted on December 28 after traders in Tehran’s historic Grand Bazaar shut down operations to protest the sharp fall of the rial. What began as anger over economic hardship quickly spread to cities and towns nationwide, with demonstrators voicing broader opposition to Iran’s clerical leadership, which has ruled since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
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Iranian state outlets say at least 109 members of the security forces have been killed during the unrest. Opposition groups abroad dispute that account, saying the overall death toll is significantly higher and includes large numbers of protesters. Digital rights monitors report that Iran has maintained a nationwide internet shutdown for more than three days, limiting communication and heightening fears of a harsher crackdown.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said his government was prepared to hear public grievances, but urged citizens to distance themselves from what he described as violent elements. He accused the United States and Israel of exploiting Iran’s economic troubles to inflame the protests, pointing to last year’s brief war with Israel as part of a wider pattern.
The unfolding crisis comes as Trump advances a confrontational foreign policy on multiple fronts. He is expected to meet senior advisers to discuss options on Iran, ranging from military strikes to cyber operations, expanded sanctions and digital support for protesters. Trump has also said he plans to speak with Elon Musk about restoring internet access in Iran through satellite services.
At the same time, the US president has reiterated bold positions on Venezuela and Greenland, reinforcing an assertive global posture that continues to draw intense international attention.