Tough Options Against Iran Under Consideration, Military Action Also Possible: Trump

Washington – U.S. President Donald Trump has said that his administration is considering “very strong options” against Iran, indicating that potential military action could also be included.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump responded to a question about whether Iran has crossed a “red line” that would trigger a response, saying, “They seem to be heading in that direction.”

According to Trump, the situation in Iran is being assessed very seriously. “We are looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it as well, and we have some very strong options. A decision will be made,” he said.

The president also stated that he is receiving updates on the situation in Iran on an hourly basis. Trump further revealed that Iranian leaders have reached out to him expressing a desire to negotiate. “The leaders of Iran called. They want to negotiate,” he said.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump will be briefed on Tuesday about various options to respond to the unrest in Iran. The meeting is expected to include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine. However, the report noted that no final decision is expected at the meeting, as discussions remain at an early stage.

The report said the Trump administration’s possible options include boosting anti-government online sources, deploying cyberattacks against Iranian military and civilian infrastructure, imposing additional sanctions, launching military strikes, and potentially sending terminals of Starlink, the satellite-based internet service owned by Elon Musk, into Iran.

The Pentagon has not yet moved any forces in preparation for possible military action. According to the report, the United States would need to position assets not only to carry out strikes but also to protect American forces in the Middle East.

Recently, the U.S. moved the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group from the Mediterranean to Latin America, leaving no U.S. aircraft carrier currently stationed in either the Middle East or Europe.

Meanwhile, Iran’s parliamentary speaker reportedly warned on Sunday that Iran would attack U.S. military bases in the Middle East if the United States were to act first.

Secretary of State Rubio held telephone talks on Saturday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Iran, Syria, and other Middle East issues.

Trump said on Friday that the United States would not deploy ground troops (“boots on the ground”) to Iran. “If they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved,” Trump said. “That doesn’t mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts.”

Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December amid a sharp decline in the national currency and long-standing economic hardship. The reported death toll during the protests continues to rise.