US airstrikes on Iran are 'on the table,' Trump White House says - BRAVE MAG

BRAVE MAG

ShowBiz & Sports

Hot

Monday, January 12, 2026

Home Unlabelled US airstrikes on Iran are 'on the table,' Trump White House says

US airstrikes on Iran are 'on the table,' Trump White House says

US airstrikes on Iran are 'on the table,' Trump White House says

WASHINGTON ‒ Attacking Iran with airstrikes is "on the table" asPresident Donald Trumpweighs military optionsin the country after the Iranian regime'sdeadly crackdownon the country's largest protests in years, the White House said.

"One thingPresident Trumpis very good at is always keeping all of his options on the table," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Jan. 12. "And airstrikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the commander-in-chief."

Leavitt also noted that "diplomacy is always the first option for the president" while adding: "The president has shown he's unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary, and nobody knows that better than Iran."

More:Iran guns down hundreds in new wave of protests, rights groups say

<p style=Anti-government protests in Iran appeared to accelerate on Jan. 9, sparked by anger over the collapse of the country's currency and a broader sense of hopelessness and disillusionment with Tehran's clerical leaders.

The uptick in unrest also comes as President Donald Trump warned Iran's authorities against killing peaceful protesters, saying Washington "will come to their rescue."

See the scenes in Iran, beginning here on the streets amid anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from social media video released on January 8, 2026. Witnesses told Reuters protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8, however this video's date taken has not been verified.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Protesters gather as vehicles burn, amid evolving anti-government unrest, in Tehran, Iran, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video released on January 9, 2026. People tear down an Iranian flag after it was taken down in Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran, in this still image obtained from a social media video released on January 8, 2026. Date when the video was filmed could not be confirmed. An overturned car and multiple fires burn as protesters chant outside a police station, during Iran's biggest demonstrations in three years over economic hardship, in Azna, Lorestan Province, Iran, in this still image obtained from a social media video released on January 1, 2026. Protesters gather amid evolving anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video released on January 9, 2026. Witnesses told Reuters protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8, however this video's date taken has not been verified. People gather on the streets amid anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from social media video released on January 8, 2026. The date of the videos could not be verified. Witnesses in Tehran told Reuters that protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8. People gather on the streets during a protest in Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released on January 8, 2026. The date could not be verified but multiple videos verified to Mashhad were posted online on January 8. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi speaks during a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, January 9, 2026. Burning debris lies in the middle of a street during unrest in Hamedan, Iran on January 1, 2026. The demonstrations erupted after shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shut their businesses to protest the sharp fall of Iran's currency and worsening economic conditions, with clashes reported in several provinces and Iranian media and rights groups saying multiple people were killed in the violence, marking the largest protests to hit the Islamic Republic in three years. A person uses a lighter to set fire to a banner during demonstrations in Hamedan, Iran, on January 1, 2026. The demonstrations erupted after shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shut their businesses to protest the sharp fall of Iran's currency and worsening economic conditions, with clashes reported in several provinces and Iranian media and rights groups saying multiple people were killed in the violence, marking the largest protests to hit the Islamic Republic in three years. Burning debris lies next to an overturned dumpster in the middle of a street during unrest amid demonstrations in Hamedan, Iran, on January 1, 2026. The demonstrations erupted after shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shut their businesses to protest the sharp fall of Iran's currency and worsening economic conditions, with clashes reported in several provinces and Iranian media and rights groups saying multiple people were killed in the violence, marking the largest protests to hit the Islamic Republic in three years. Rocks, tree branches, and a toppled charity box remain on a street during unrest amid demonstrations in Hamedan, Iran, on January 1, 2026. The demonstrations erupted after shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shut their businesses to protest the sharp fall of Iran's currency and worsening economic conditions, with clashes reported in several provinces and Iranian media and rights groups saying multiple people were killed in the violence, marking the largest protests to hit the Islamic Republic in three years. A protester flashes victory signs as traffic slows during demonstrations in Hamedan, Iran, on January 1, 2026. The demonstrations erupted after shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shut their businesses to protest the sharp fall of Iran's currency and worsening economic conditions, with clashes reported in several provinces and Iranian media and rights groups saying multiple people were killed in the violence, marking the largest protests to hit the Islamic Republic in three years. Security forces detain protesters outside a commercial building on Ahmadabad Street in Mashhad, Iran on January 3, 2026. Iran has experienced recurrent waves of protests in recent years driven by political repression, economic hardship, rising living costs, and restrictions on civil and social freedoms, including women's rights. Demonstrations have frequently been met with arrests, heavy security deployments, internet disruptions, and, according to activists and rights groups, the killing of protesters, as authorities move to suppress dissent. People walk down the street, chanting in Farsi, Demonstrators attempt to force a gate open to gain access to a building during a protest in Fasa, Iran, in this still image obtained from a social media video released on December 31, 2025.

See Iran's anti-government protests, huge crowds, unrest in photos

Anti-government protests in Iranappeared to accelerate on Jan. 9, sparked by anger over the collapse of the country's currency and a broader sense of hopelessness and disillusionment with Tehran's clerical leaders.

The uptick in unrest also comes as PresidentDonald Trumpwarned Iran's authorities against killing peaceful protesters, sayingWashington "will come to their rescue."See the scenes in Iran, beginning here on the streets amid anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from social media video released on January 8, 2026. Witnesses told Reuters protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8, however this video's date taken has not been verified.

Iran says it is 'fully prepared for war' if outsiders intervene

Protests in Iran, sparked by the nation's struggling economy after years of international sanctions, have resulted in hundreds of deaths, drawing the condemnation of human rights organizations.

As of Jan. 11, the Human Rights Activists News Agency estimated over 580 people have been killed since the unrest began, and more than 10,600 people have been detained by authorities.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi,in remarks broadcast by state television, said Iran is"not seeking war but is fully prepared for war,"according to translationsfrom The Guardianand other media outlets. He warned adversaries against any "miscalculation."

More:Trump says he's weighing military options in Iran amid deadly protests

President Donald Trump speaks with members of the media aboard Air Force One en route from Florida to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., January 11, 2026.

Iran wants meeting with US, Trump says

Trump on Jan. 11 told reporters he's exploring potential military options amid the violence in Iran, whose leaders he said "called to negotiate" with the United States over the weekend. Trump said a potential meeting between U.S. officials and Iran is in the works.

"I think they're tired of being beat up by the United States," Trump said. "Iran wants to negotiate. We may meet with them. I mean, a meeting is being set up. But we have to act because of what's happening before the meeting"

More:Iran says it is open to talks with US but prepared for war

Leavitt said an Iranian official reached out to Steven Witkoff, the president's special envoy, about meeting with Trump officials. She said the official expressed "a far different tone than what you're seeing publicly."

Araghchi said Iran is "ready for negotiations but these negotiations should be fair, with equal rights and based on mutual respect."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks to the members of the media outside the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 12, 2026.

Trump, Musk talk about reconnecting Iran's internet

Trump has vowed the United States wouldintervene if Iranian officials target peaceful protests. He has also threatened to "knock the hell" out of Iran if it works to rebuild its weapons supply following Israeli and U.S. strikes on Tehran's nuclear and missile programs in June

Leavitt also confirmed Trump engaged with billionaire tech entrepreneur and former White House officialElon Muskabout helping to restore internet connectivity in Iran as authorities disrupt services during the protests.

Trump had suggested a conversation with Musk, who previously led Trump'sDepartment of Government Efficiency, was imminent.

"He's very good at that kind of thing. He's got a very good company. So we may speak toElon Musk. In fact, I'm going to call him as soon as I'm finished with you," Trump said Jan. 11 when asked about enlisting Musk's SpaceX, which offers a satellite internet service called Starlink that has been used in Iran.

Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:US airstrikes on Iran 'on the table' Trump White House says

Posted by at