Trump Signals U.S. Could Take Strong Military Steps Against Iran

US President Donald Trump said Washington is closely monitoring the protests in Iran and is considering strong measures, including possible military action.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said the US military is actively reviewing options in response to the unrest. “We’re looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and we’re considering very strong options. We’ll make a determination,” he said.

Trump claimed that Iran’s leadership had reached out to negotiate after his warnings, and that officials were arranging a meeting. However, he warned that the United States might act before any talks take place.

Iran did not immediately respond to Trump’s remarks. Earlier, Iranian leaders warned against foreign intervention. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said that if the US attacked Iran, Tehran would treat Israel and all American bases and ships as legitimate targets.

Protests erupted in Iran on December 28 after shopkeepers in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar shut their businesses to protest the collapse of the Iranian rial. The demonstrations quickly spread nationwide and expanded from economic grievances into wider opposition against Iran’s ruling clerical system.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 security personnel have died in the unrest, while opposition groups abroad claimed the death toll is higher and includes hundreds of protesters. Monitoring groups also reported that Iran has imposed a nationwide internet blackout for more than 72 hours.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his government is willing to listen to protesters’ concerns but warned against violence and sabotage. He accused Israel and the US of exploiting economic tensions to destabilise the country.

US officials told Reuters that Trump plans to meet senior advisers this week to review options, including possible military strikes, cyber operations, tougher sanctions and online support for anti-government activists. Trump also said he plans to speak with Elon Musk about restoring internet access in Iran using Starlink satellite services.

Trump warns of possible action as Iran unrest spreads nationwide and tensions rise

The developments come as Trump pursues an aggressive foreign policy agenda, including efforts to pressure Venezuela’s government and renewed calls for the US to acquire Greenland.

Trump said he would meet Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado this week and promised that international oil companies would be safe investing in Venezuela. He also reiterated his view that Greenland is strategically vital to US security and said Washington would seek to acquire it, either through a deal or by other means.

Read Also: Growing Protests Put Iran’s Leadership Under Increasing Strain

Iran’s theocratic leadership faces one of its most serious challenges in years as protests spread across the country for a third straight week. Demonstrators first took to the streets over rising prices and unemployment, but they now openly call for an end to the clerical system that has ruled Iran for decades.

Security forces have responded aggressively, arresting thousands and killing hundreds as they try to restore control, according to human rights groups. Authorities have also shut down internet and phone services in several regions to block communication and restrict media coverage.

Economic hardship and political repression continue to drive nationwide protests, while US warnings increase pressure on Tehran. Analysts say corruption, economic mismanagement and years of political repression have pushed public anger to a breaking point. International sanctions have weakened the economy further, shrinking the middle class and limiting opportunities for reform.

Read Also:Grok Curbs Image Generation Following Backlash Over Sexualised Content

Elon Musk’s social media platform X has limited access to the image-generation features of its AI tool Grok, making them available only to paying subscribers after users raised concerns about widespread misuse involving sexualised images of women and children.

Previously, X allowed users to create and edit images with Grok for free under daily usage limits. However, after reports showed that people were abusing the feature at scale, the company placed the tool behind a paywall. The standalone Grok app, which operates separately from X, still allows users to generate images without a subscription, according to Bloomberg.

Users recently exploited Grok to alter photos—mainly of women—to place them in bikinis and other sexualised settings. Some users also created explicit images of both women and children. Reports said users produced thousands of such images every hour, often without the consent of the people shown.

The UK-based Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), which monitors online child sexual abuse material, said it had identified “criminal” images on the dark web that people allegedly created using Grok.