Hundreds of protesters have been k!lled, and thousands have been arrested after the nation’s regime launched a bloody crackdown in response to protests.
The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency has said 490 demonstrators and 48 security personnel have been k!lled so far, with more than 10,600 people arrested in two weeks of unrest.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, claimed on Monday, Jan. 12, that “the situation has come under total control,” but offered no evidence for his claim.
In response, President Donald Trump and his national security team have been weighing a range of potential responses against Iran.
“The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One.
Asked about Iran’s threats of retaliation, he said: “If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before.”
Anonymous sources have told news agencies that this could include cyber-attacks and direct strikes by the US or Israel.
Trump’s administration is in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but the President appeared to signal he would have to act first as the de@th toll in Iran mounts and the government continues to arrest protesters.
“I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States,” Trump added. “Iran wants to negotiate.”
“The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what’s happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate.”
Tehran has warned that the US military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America uses force to protect demonstrators.
Iran’s government has not offered overall casualty figures.
With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, it has become more difficult for the international community to follow the demonstrations.
Meanwhile, protesters have continued to flood the streets in the country’s capital. Online videos purported to show more demonstrations Sunday night into Monday, with a Tehran official acknowledging them in state media.