Trump Says US Weighing ‘Very Strong Options’ Against Iran Amid Protests
United States President Donald Trump has said Washington is seriously considering “very strong options” against Iran following its crackdown on anti-government protests, as per Al Jazeera.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the US military was closely examining the situation and that a final decision would be made soon.
“We’re looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump said, adding that possible actions could include military intervention.
He also claimed that Iran’s leadership had reached out to negotiate after his warnings, and that a meeting was being planned. However, Trump cautioned that the US “may have to act before a meeting.
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There was no immediate response from Iran, according to Al Jazeera.
Iranian leaders, meanwhile, issued a strong warning against any foreign intervention. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said that if Iran were attacked, Israel, along with all US bases and ships in the region, would be considered legitimate targets, reported by Al Jazeera.
The protests in Iran began on December 28, after traders at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar shut their shops to protest the sharp fall in the Iranian rial. Al Jazeera reported that the demonstrations soon spread across the country, with people raising concerns not only about rising living costs but also about long-standing opposition to Iran’s clerical leadership, which has been in power since 1979.
According to Iranian state media, at least 109 security personnel have been killed during the unrest.
However, opposition groups based outside Iran claim the death toll is much higher and includes hundreds of protesters, Al Jazeera noted.
The situation has been further intensified by a nationwide internet blackout that has lasted for more than 72 hours, monitoring groups told Al Jazeera.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said his government was willing to listen to public concerns but warned against violence.
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Speaking to state broadcaster IRIB, he said people should not allow “rioters” and “terrorist elements” to create chaos. He also accused Israel and the United States of being behind the unrest, claiming they were exploiting economic issues to destabilise the country, according to Al Jazeera.
The developments come as Trump continues to push an aggressive foreign policy agenda.
Al Jazeera reported that he is scheduled to meet senior advisers to discuss Iran-related options, which reportedly include military strikes, cyber operations, tougher sanctions, and support for anti-government voices online.
Trump also said he plans to speak with billionaire Elon Musk about restoring internet access in Iran using SpaceX’s Starlink service. “He’s very good at that kind of thing,” Trump said, as quoted by Al Jazeera.
In the same interaction, Trump spoke about Venezuela and Greenland. He confirmed plans to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and promised safety for global oil companies investing in Venezuela.
On Greenland, Trump repeated his desire for the US to acquire the Danish territory, saying it was necessary for national security.
Trump claimed China and Russia were increasing their presence around Greenland and warned that the US would not allow them to gain control. “One way or another, we’re going to have Greenland,” he said, according to Al Jazeera.
