Trump does not rule out the military option in support of protesters in Iran
The US president says he is in contact with the Iranian opposition, while several American lawmakers warn of the consequences of military intervention.
US President Donald Trump said in the early hours of Monday that he is considering a range of responses to the escalating unrest in Iran, including potential military options, as massive protests continue to sweep the country.
He indicated that Iran has “begun to cross its red lines,” referring to his warnings against harming protesters.
Trump added that he receives reports “every hour” on the situation in Iran, stating that he would not comment on “when, where, or how” Washington might act against Tehran.
He criticized Iranian officials, saying, “They are not leaders; they rule through violence. We take this very seriously, the military is reviewing it, and we have extremely strong options on the table.”
The US president also emphasized that he is in contact with Iranian opposition leaders, saying he intends to speak with businessman Elon Musk about restoring Internet access in Iran after authorities cut off services amid ongoing protests against the government.
Asked whether he would work with Musk’s company SpaceX, which provides satellite Internet services through Starlink used in Iran, Trump said, “He’s very good at this kind of thing, and he has a very good company.”
On another front, Trump said Iran had called on Sunday for negotiations over its nuclear program, stressing that he might meet with representatives of the Iranian government.
He added, “We can talk to them, and a meeting can be arranged, but what is happening in Iran may force us to act before any meeting takes place.”
Tehran continues to adhere to its positions regarding the nuclear program despite military strikes on several sites by Israel and the United States. However, pressure from internal protests and US threats may lead to a shift in Iran’s hardened stance.
In response to Trump’s remarks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that the situation in the country is now “fully under control.”
He added that Trump’s threat of intervention if protests turned violent had encouraged “terrorists” to target demonstrators and security forces in order to provoke foreign intervention.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Monday that communication channels between Tehran and Washington remain open, including through the US special envoy and the usual Swiss mediation.
On Sunday, several US lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties raised doubts about whether military action against Iran is the best approach for the United States as Iranian authorities face growing unrest.
In recent days, Trump has left the door open to possible US intervention in Iran, as the Revolutionary Guards blamed the largest anti-government protests in years on “terrorists” and pledged to protect the ruling system.
However, at least two US senators struck a more cautious tone during television interviews on Sunday.
Republican Senator Rand Paul told ABC News, “I don’t know whether bombing Iran would achieve the intended effect.”
Paul, along with Democratic Senator Mark Warner, warned that a military attack on Iran could rally the population against an external enemy rather than undermine the regime.
He cautioned in televised remarks that a military strike on Iran could unite Iranians against the United States “in a way the regime itself has not been able to do.”
He noted that history shows the risks of US intervention, citing the US-backed overthrow of Iran’s government in 1953, which set off a chain of events that gradually led to the rise of the Islamic regime in the late 1970s.
The Wall Street Journal reported that US military and diplomatic officials are set to brief Trump on Tuesday on available options regarding Iran, including cyberattacks and potential military action.
Iran said it would target US military bases if the United States launched an attack. However, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who has often called for a tougher foreign policy stance, said Trump should “encourage the protesters and intimidate the Iranian regime.”
He added on Fox News, “If I were in your place, Mr President, I would kill the leadership that is killing its people. You need to put an end to this.”
Finally, Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last shah and a US resident, said he is ready to return to Iran to lead a transition toward a democratic government.
He told Fox News on Sunday, “I am truly planning to do so. My mission is to lead this transition to ensure that no aspect is overlooked and to give the people the opportunity to freely choose their leaders, with full transparency, so they can decide their own future.”
