US President Donald Trump revealed that Iranian leaders contacted him Saturday seeking negotiations as anti-regime protests claim 538 lives and 10600 detentions
entering third week nationwide. "They want to negotiate... a meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what's happening, before the meeting," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. He receives hourly situation reports eyeing "very strong options" from military planners amid IRGC crackdowns fueling Death to Khamenei chants. Trump flagged Tehran crossing his red line with killings of protesters "not supposed to be killed" warranting serious review. "We're looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it and we're looking at some strong options and we're going to make a determination very soon," he emphasized. Economic collapse sparked December 28 demonstrations escalating into revolutionary challenge despite internet blackout since January 8 severing outside views.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Iran: "We're looking at some very strong options... I'm getting an hourly report, and we're going to make a determination very soon." https://t.co/1IMX0WWIGE pic.twitter.com/2OYdWoeLVY
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) January 12, 2026
Ayatollah Khamenei has promised no retreat accusing Trump foreign sabotage as rights groups tally minors among dead. Trump mused "I think they're tired of being beat up by the United States" signaling potential pre-meeting strikes on security apparatus. Post-2025 nuclear hits sanctions amplify rial freefall powering Bazaar youth merchant alliance.
Negotiation Window Narrows
US plans Musk consultation deploying Starlink constellation bypassing regime communications chokehold aiding coordination. Iranian outreach follows Trump red line warnings post-protester bloodshed echoing past intervention threats. Secretary Marco Rubio affirms Washington backs courageous Iranians against clerical repression.
Protests grip all 31 provinces blending economic fury political overthrow demands defying IRGC live rounds arrests. Trump contrasts negotiation willingness against kinetic readiness should talks falter amid volatility. Exiled Reza Pahlavi rallies strikes amplifying pressure on Tehran leadership.
White House weighs targeted facilities cyber operations avoiding ground commitments per prior briefings. Iranian bases Israel designated reprisal sites should US cross thresholds. Death toll discrepancies plague fog-of-war reporting reliant smuggled footage satellite imagery.
Regime frames unrest foreign plot deflecting internal rot as black market oil sanctions bite. Trump doctrine prioritizes swift determinations hourly intel guiding calibrated responses. Iranian revolution whispers grow louder uniting disparate grievances unprecedented scale.
Meeting prospects hinge pre-action calculus balancing diplomacy force projection. Musk Starlink activation could tip coordination scales empowering sustained defiance. Khamenei rhetoric hardens vowing crush saboteurs preserving theocracy grip.
