WASHINGTON/TEHRAN: US President Donald Trump has said the United States may hold talks with Iranian officials while also weighing a range of strong responses — including military action — as escalating protests pose one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
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Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said Iranian leaders had reached out to negotiate over Tehran’s nuclear programme, which was targeted by Israel and the United States during a 12-day conflict in June. He added that while a meeting was being arranged, Washington could act before any talks take place if circumstances worsen.
“The leaders of Iran called,” Trump said. “A meeting is being set up… They want to negotiate.” However, he warned that the US would respond forcefully if Iranian security forces opened fire on protesters.
A US official told Reuters that Trump was scheduled to meet senior advisers to review options on Iran, which reportedly include military strikes, cyber operations, tougher sanctions, and support for anti-government groups online. “The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump said.
Iranian officials issued sharp warnings in response. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf cautioned Washington against “miscalculation,” saying that any attack on Iran would make Israel and US bases and ships legitimate targets.
The protests, which began on December 28 over soaring prices, have since evolved into broader demonstrations against the authorities. In Tehran, journalists described near-paralysis, with shops closed early and security forces deployed in large numbers. Internet services have been largely shut down, limiting the flow of information.
State media have shown images of burning buildings and funerals for security personnel, while officials insisted the unrest was subsiding. President Masoud Pezeshkian urged citizens to join a “national resistance march,” and the government declared three days of national mourning for those killed.
Trump also said he would speak with billionaire Elon Musk about restoring internet access in Iran, possibly through SpaceX’s Starlink satellite service, as authorities continue to restrict communications.
Meanwhile, Reza Pahlavi, the US-based son of Iran’s ousted shah, called on security forces and state employees to side with protesters. He also urged replacing the Islamic Republic’s flag at embassies with Iran’s pre-revolution national flag, a symbol increasingly seen at rallies abroad.
