Airstrikes among options as Trump keeps ‘all options on table’ on Iran; Tehran says forces ready to repel any aggression
ANI | 6–7 minutes
Updated: Jan 13, 2026
Washington DC/Tehran, January 13 (ANI): The White House on Monday said US President Donald Trump is keeping “all options on the table” in dealing with Iran amid continuing protests and unrest in the country, including the possibility of military action, while maintaining that diplomacy remains his preferred first step.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump believes in preserving strategic flexibility. Responding to questions on whether ongoing protests in Iran could end without military intervention, Leavitt said, “I think one thing President Trump is very good at is always keeping all of his options on the table, and airstrikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the Commander in Chief. Diplomacy is always the first option for the president.”
She added that Trump has indicated public statements from the Iranian leadership differ from private messages being received by the administration. “The President has an interest in exploring those messages,” Leavitt said, while underscoring that Trump has shown he is “unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary, and nobody knows that better than Iran.”
Leavitt also confirmed that Trump is scheduled to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado later this week, without offering further details.
The White House remarks came against the backdrop of widespread demonstrations and counter-demonstrations reported across several Iranian provinces, including Azerbaijan province and the central city of Arak. According to Iranian state broadcaster Press TV, crowds waved flags and chanted slogans in support of the government, even as protests continued amid soaring inflation, economic hardship and public anger over governance.
Human rights groups have reported a heavy toll from the unrest. The Human Rights News Agency said at least 544 people have been killed and more than 10,681 individuals arrested and transferred to prisons.
Meanwhile, Iran’s leadership has issued strong warnings against any foreign action. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran’s armed forces, backed by the nation, are fully prepared to respond to any aggression.
“Our nation has shown that, with full might and complete courage, it defends Iran’s integrity, and our readiness is increasing carefully and on a moment-by-moment basis,” Baghaei said at a press conference, according to Press TV. “Our armed forces, as in the past, will be ready to repel any act of aggression.”
Baghaei alleged that the recent unrest was fuelled by foreign interference, claiming that riots followed what he described as “very evident” interventionist remarks by US and Israeli officials. He said Tehran believes such actions were intended to provoke chaos and destabilisation, adding that Iran would later present documents to support its claims.
On Iran–US communication, Baghaei said a channel remains open between Iran’s foreign minister and the US president’s special envoy, with the Swiss embassy serving as the US Interests Section in Iran.
International reactions have continued to mount. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced a ban on Iranian diplomats and other representatives of the Islamic Republic from entering Parliament premises, saying “it cannot be business as usual” while Iranians continue to protest for their rights and freedoms.
Iranian state media, meanwhile, aired footage of pro-government rallies across multiple cities, including a large demonstration in Tehran attended by thousands. President Masoud Pezeshkian was shown greeting flag-waving citizens and marching among the crowd after urging Iranians to participate in a “national resistance march” to condemn recent violence.
Pezeshkian has pledged to address economic grievances and said his government is “ready to listen” to protesters, while calling on citizens to prevent what he described as “rioters” and “terrorist elements” from causing damage.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has also accused the US and Israel of instigating what he termed a “terrorist war” inside Iran, claiming there was evidence linking the violence to foreign intelligence involvement.
In the United States, Trump said the military is considering a range of options, from cyber operations to direct strikes, though he stressed that no final decision has been made. Trump also claimed Iran had reached out to Washington seeking talks, with the administration working to coordinate them.
“We’re looking at it very seriously,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “The military is looking at it and we’re looking at some very strong options. We’ll make a determination.”
The unrest and rising tensions have also had regional and global repercussions, with some foreign airlines suspending flights to Iran and oil prices fluctuating amid geopolitical uncertainty.
As protests, diplomatic manoeuvring and military signalling continue, both Washington and Tehran have reiterated their readiness to act, raising concerns about further escalation in an already volatile region. (ANI)
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