Consecutive Protests in Iran Lead to U.S. Military Considerations

Mon Jan 12 2026 16:32:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As unrest in Iran results in hundreds of casualties, President Trump hints at possible military intervention while Iran's government intensifies its crackdown on demonstrators.

Continuous protests in Iran have reportedly claimed the lives of hundreds, prompting President Trump to suggest that the U.S. military is contemplating 'very strong options'. The protests, sparked by economic dissatisfaction, have led to a severe response from Iranian authorities as the death toll continues to rise. with over 10,000 detentions amid calls for pro-government marches. The global community watches as both nations navigate a tense situation.

President Donald Trump says the US military is considering very strong options in Iran, as anti-government protests which have reportedly killed hundreds enter a third week.

The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) says it has verified the deaths of nearly 500 protesters and 48 security personnel in Iran, while sources tell the BBC the death toll could be much higher.

Trump has threatened to intervene and said on Sunday that Iranian officials had called him to negotiate - but added we may have to act before a meeting.

Iranian leaders have described the demonstrators as a bunch of vandals and called on their supporters to take part in pro-government marches on Monday.

The government has also announced three days of mourning for what it called martyrs killed in a national battle against the US and Israel - two countries that Tehran says are fomenting unrest.

Anger over the plummeting value of the Iranian currency sparked protests in late December, which have grown into a crisis of legitimacy for Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Trump has not yet elaborated on what the US is considering in terms of military options, nor on the proposed negotiations, despite saying that a meeting is being set up with Iranian officials.

He added that Iranian leaders want to negotiate, because they are tired of being beat up by the United States.

A US official told the BBC's US news partner CBS that Trump has been briefed on options for military strikes on Iran. Other approaches could include boosting anti-government sources online, using cyber-weapons against Iran's military, or imposing more sanctions.

Sources told the BBC that protests continued on Sunday night, but at a reduced level compared to previous days, as fears grow of an escalating crackdown by the Iranian government. At least 10,600 people have been detained over the fortnight of unrest, according to HRANA.

The BBC counted 180 body bags in footage from a morgue near the Iranian capital, with one source saying on Sunday that the streets of Tehran were full of blood. They're taking away bodies in trucks, the source added.

Footage has been blurred to protect the identities of the living, who could face further persecution from the authorities. Multiple sources in Iran reported persistent drone surveillance over crowd gatherings.

Witnesses are relying on Starlink proxy connections for information during an ongoing internet blackout. Trump mentioned a discussion with Elon Musk to help restore internet access.

The protests are the largest in Iran since the uprising in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini. Khamenei and other officials have warned that demonstrators could face severe penalties.

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last shah, emphasized that the protests have shaken the government, pointing to increased violence as a sign of fear among leaders.