January 12, 2026 l Reporter: Johnson
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday said the United States military is considering “very strong options” in response to developments in Iran, including the regime’s lethal crackdown on widespread protests, while also claiming that Iranian leaders have reached out and expressed a desire to negotiate with Washington.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said U.S. armed forces and his national security team are “looking at it very seriously” as growing reports of civilian deaths and repression have triggered global concern. “The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” he said, adding that the administration is gathering input on potential responses before making a determination.
Trump’s remarks came amid mounting unrest across Iran’s 31 provinces, where mass protests have persisted since late December and reports from rights groups suggest hundreds of demonstrators have been killed and thousands detained during confrontations with security forces.
In an unexpected development, Trump claimed that Iran’s leadership had contacted the United States to initiate negotiations, saying a meeting was being arranged with Tehran. “The leaders of Iran called… They want to negotiate,” the U.S. president told reporters, though he stressed a meeting “may have to happen after possible action” because of ongoing events on the ground.
U.S. deliberations under Trump’s direction reportedly include a wide range of possible measures, discussed by senior advisers this week, that span from expanded sanctions and covert cyber tools to direct military strikes though no final decision had been announced by Monday.
Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have presented mixed signals in response to the crisis. Officials including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have said Iran is “prepared for war” should external military pressure escalate, while also indicating readiness for negotiations that they deem “fair and equitable”. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf issued a stark warning that U.S. and Israeli bases and assets would be targeted if Tehran were struck, heightening regional security concerns.
The situation in Iran remains volatile, with internet blackouts complicating independent verification of casualty figures and protest dynamics. International leaders including from the United Nations and other major capitals have called for restraint, urging both respect for human rights and a de-escalation of tensions between Tehran and Washington.