Highlights:
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Trump says Iran is nearing a “red line” over protester deaths
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Rights groups report hundreds killed and thousands detained
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Iran warns U.S. bases and Israeli targets could be struck
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Nationwide internet blackout limits independent verification
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Washington considers military, cyber, and economic measures
President Donald Trump said he is weighing “very strong” actions against Iran as reports of deaths and arrests mount following a sweeping crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests. Human rights organizations say the unrest has resulted in hundreds of deaths, making it one of the most severe episodes of internal violence in Iran in recent years.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday (11), Trump indicated that Iran may be approaching a threshold he has previously described as a red line. Asked whether Iranian authorities had crossed it, Trump said, “They’re starting to, it looks like.” He added, “We’re looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options.”
Trump and the Iran Crackdown: Escalating Rhetoric
Trump’s comments come amid growing international concern over the scale of the crackdown. According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 538 people have been killed during the unrest, including 490 protesters. The group also reported more than 10,600 arrests. A separate organization, Iran Human Rights, based in Norway, confirmed the deaths of at least 192 protesters.
Both groups cautioned that the figures likely understate the true toll due to severe restrictions on information coming out of Iran. Iranian authorities have not released official casualty numbers.
The Iranian government imposed a nationwide internet blackout shortly after protests escalated, making independent verification difficult. Rights groups say the shutdown has allowed security forces to expand the use of lethal force, including live ammunition, against demonstrators with limited outside scrutiny.
Trump Says Iran Wants Talks Despite Tensions
Despite the strong tone, Trump also suggested that Tehran has quietly sought negotiations. “I think they’re tired of being beaten up by the United States,” Trump said. “Iran wants to negotiate.” He did not provide details on when or how such contact may have occurred.
The White House has not confirmed any formal diplomatic outreach from Iran. Trump’s remarks reflect a dual-track approach that combines public pressure with the suggestion of potential talks, a strategy he has used previously in dealing with adversarial governments.
Trump Statements on Supporting Protesters
Trump has repeatedly said the United States would act if Iranian authorities continued killing civilians. On Saturday night (10), he reinforced that message in a post on Truth Social, writing that Iran was “looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,” and that the United States stood “ready to help.”
U.S. officials say Washington is reviewing a wide range of responses. These reportedly include limited military strikes, covert cyber operations, expanded economic sanctions, and technical assistance aimed at helping protesters regain access to the internet.
Iran Warns of Retaliation Against U.S. and Israel
Iranian leaders responded to Trump’s remarks with warnings of retaliation. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament and a former commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cautioned Washington against what he described as a “miscalculation.”
Qalibaf said any attack on Iran would make U.S. bases, naval assets, and Israeli territory “legitimate targets.” Iranian officials have consistently framed the protests as the result of foreign interference rather than domestic dissatisfaction.
Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, rejected claims of widespread internal opposition, accusing foreign enemies of fueling unrest. He called for a state-organized march to denounce the violence and reaffirm support for the government.
Trump, Iran, and Growing Regional Risks
The protests began after a sharp collapse in Iran’s currency, which fueled public anger over inflation, unemployment, and economic mismanagement. Over time, demonstrations expanded into broader calls for political reform and the removal of Iran’s leadership.
Security forces have detained key protest organizers, and Iranian officials have warned that demonstrators could face charges carrying the death penalty. These warnings have drawn further criticism from international rights groups and Western governments.
Meanwhile, Reza Pahlavi, the U.S.-based son of Iran’s last shah, urged members of Iran’s security forces and government institutions to side with protesters. His remarks have circulated widely among Iranian opposition networks abroad.
As Trump continues to signal possible action, analysts warn that any U.S. military move could escalate into a wider regional confrontation involving Iran, U.S. forces in the Middle East, and Israel. For now, the situation remains fluid, with Trump emphasizing that all options remain under review as the death toll from the protests continues to rise.
The coming days are likely to test how far Trump is willing to go in responding to events inside Iran, and whether pressure or negotiation will define the next phase of U.S.-Iran relations.
