US Weighing Strong Options for Iran as Trump says Tehran has Reached Out
IRAN – Donald Trump on Sunday said that the US is weighing strong options for Iran over the rising protestors’ death toll in the ongoing Iran protests.
“These are violent – if you call them leaders – I don’t know if they’re leaders or just, they rule through violence. But, 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 on Air Force One en route to Washington, DC, from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, where he spent the weekend.
Iran has been gripped by protests since late December over the sharp depreciation of its national currency and worsening economic conditions.
Trump also said he has been receiving hourly reports on Iran, without providing information about when where, or how the US would act.
Asked whether Iran had crossed a red line, Trump suggested that it was close to doing so.
“You know, they’re starting to, it looks like,” Trump said. “And there seem to be some people killed that aren’t supposed to be killed.”
Protests erupted on Dec. 28 at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar over the sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial and worsening economic conditions, later spreading to several cities.
Death Toll in Iran Protests
US-based rights group HRANA reported deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel, with more than 10,600 people arrested, though no official casualty estimates exist.
Trump has warned on multiple occasions that the US would “come to the rescue” of Iranian protesters if the government used lethal force against them.
Trump was also asked about a warning by Iranian authorities that it would consider US military and commercial bases “legitimate targets” if the US were to strike Iranian positions.
“If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before,” Trump said. “They won’t even believe it. I have options that are so strong. So, I mean, if they did that, it’ll be met with a very, very powerful force.”
Last June, the US carried out airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities – Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan – as part of Operation Midnight Hammer during the brief Iran-Israel war.
In addition to military warnings, Trump said he was exploring ways to restore internet access in Iran amid widespread blackouts, saying he plans to speak with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk on the issue.
“He’s very good at that kind of thing, he’s got a very good company,” Trump said.
Trump Says Iran Wants to Negotiate
Trump said on Sunday that Iranian authorities contacted the US to discuss possible talks on the country’s nuclear program, signaling a potential diplomatic opening amid heightened tensions.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling from Florida to Washington, DC, Trump said Iranian officials reached out Saturday seeking negotiations.
“They called yesterday. Iran called to negotiate yesterday,” he said.
“I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States. Iran wants to negotiate.”
Trump said a meeting was in the process of being arranged, though he cautioned that developments on the ground could force the US to act before any talks take place.
“We may meet with them, he said.
“I mean, a meeting is being set up, but we may have to act, because of what’s happening, before the meeting. But, a meeting is being set up.
Iran called. They want to negotiate.”
Iran has been gripped by protests since late December over the sharp depreciation of its national currency and worsening economic conditions.
Iran Announces 3 Days of Mourning
The Iranian government on Sunday evening announced a 3-day nationwide mourning for those killed during the violent protests.
Iranians on Monday took to the streets in Tehran and other provinces to demonstrate their support for the Islamic Republic, and denouncing foreign-backed riots.
According to officials, these rallies are a show of unity of the Iranians and resilience, in the face of external destabilization efforts.
Iranian authorities have acknowledged the legitimacy of peaceful economic grievances and vowed to address them, while blaming foreign-backed elements for exploiting concerns over rising living costs and the depreciation of the national currency, which is directly linked to unilateral US sanctions targeting Iran’s central bank and oil exports.
“The Iranian nation has witnessed firsthand the barbaric violence perpetrated by perpetrators, reminiscent of Daesh (ISIL or ISIS), against its people, Basij volunteers, and police forces, resulting in the martyrdom of many,” the Iranian government said in a statement on Sunday when announcing the 3 days of mourning.
Rallies in solidarity with Iranian government begun as early as 9 am Monday Jan. 12 morning, while they were scheduled to start at 2 pm local time.
