Washington DC [US], January 13, 2026, BNN Web Staff: As widespread anti-government protests continue to grip Iran, the Donald Trump administration is actively reviewing a range of military, cyber and covert options in response to Tehran’s handling of demonstrators, according to US media reports.
US President Donald Trump was briefed on multiple response strategies that go far beyond conventional airstrikes, senior Defence Department officials told CBS News.
The options reportedly include coordinated military action, cyber operations and psychological measures aimed at pressuring the Iranian leadership.
Officials familiar with the discussions said Trump’s national security team is scheduled to convene at the White House on Tuesday to assess updated policy choices and operational plans related to Iran. It remains uncertain whether the president himself will attend the meeting.
The deliberations come amid growing unrest across Iran, where protests fueled by economic distress, rising inflation and public anger over governance have entered their third week.
Trump has repeatedly warned Tehran in recent days that the United States could intervene if Iranian security forces escalate their crackdown on protesters.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump suggested that Iran may be approaching a “red line” set by his administration following reports of mounting civilian deaths.
“They’re starting to, it looks like,” he said when asked whether Iran had crossed that threshold.
Media reports indicate that Trump has been presented with scenarios ranging from targeted strikes on select locations in Tehran — including infrastructure linked to the regime’s internal security framework — to expanded use of air power and long-range missile capabilities.
Alongside conventional military force, Pentagon planners have reportedly outlined cyber and psychological operations designed to disrupt Iran’s command-and-control systems, communication networks and state-run media.
Officials noted that such measures could be deployed independently or in coordination with military action.
At the same time, there are indications of possible diplomatic outreach.
CBS News reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has contacted US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to explore the possibility of direct talks, with sources saying a meeting between the two sides is under consideration.
Trump has also stated that Iranian leaders recently approached Washington seeking negotiations.
“They do. They called,” Trump said, adding that Tehran appears eager to engage diplomatically amid sustained pressure from the United States.
According to the Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA), at least 646 people have been killed in connection with the protests so far. The toll reportedly includes 505 protesters — among them nine children — as well as 133 members of Iran’s security forces, a prosecutor and several civilians.
HRANA data indicates that demonstrations have spread to 187 cities, with more than 600 protest gatherings recorded nationwide during the 16-day unrest.
