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U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that his administration is closely monitoring the situation in Iran and is considering "very strong options" as the reported death toll in ongoing protests continues to rise, while also revealing that Iran has reached out to discuss possible nuclear talks.
"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," Trump told reporters on Air Force One en route to Washington from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
"The military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options. We'll make a determination," Trump said.
Trump also said Iranian officials reached out Sunday seeking negotiations on the country's nuclear program.
"They called yesterday. Iran called to negotiate yesterday," he said, adding that, "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 U.S. to act before any talks take place.
"We may meet with them. 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," he noted.
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. And there seem to be some people killed that aren't supposed to be killed," Trump said.
Trump has warned on multiple occasions that the U.S. 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 U.S. military and commercial bases "legitimate targets" if the U.S. were to strike Iranian positions.
"If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they've never been hit before," Trump said, adding, "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."
The U.S. president also 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.
One option under discussion is the possibility of the U.S. sending terminals of Starlink, a satellite-based internet service owned by Musk, into Iran for the first time during the Trump administration, officials told the WSJ.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Trump is scheduled to be briefed Tuesday, Jan. 13, on options to respond to the protests in Iran.
The planned meeting with senior administration officials will be a discussion about next steps, which could include boosting anti-government sources online, deploying secretive cyber weapons against Iranian military and civilian sites, placing more sanctions on the regime, and military strikes, officials told the newspaper.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine are expected to attend the meeting.
Trump isn't expected to make a final decision at the meeting as the deliberations are at an early stage. Trump recently said he has been receiving hourly reports on Iran, without providing information about when, where, or how the U.S. would act.
The Pentagon hasn't moved any forces in preparation for potential military strikes, the WSJ reported. The U.S. would need to put assets in place not only to launch attacks but also protect American forces in the region.
The U.S. recently moved the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group from the Mediterranean to Latin America, leaving no carrier in either the Middle East or Europe.
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Some administration officials are concerned that any U.S. response could escalate tensions in the region, potentially provoking a direct confrontation between the U.S., Iran, and possibly Israel, the Wall Street Journal reported.
During preliminary discussions between senior administration staff last week, aides expressed concern that the U.S. or Israel acting in the name of protesters could fuel regime propaganda that hostile outside powers are behind the countrywide uprising.
"The administration is also aware that acting in a more symbolic way that harms but doesn't degrade the regime could demoralize protesters who believe Washington will support them," the Journal reported.
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