The White Home says that US might perform air strikes in opposition to Iran however would favor diplomatic resolution.
Revealed On 12 Jan 2026
The administration of United States President Donald Trump has continued to threaten Iran with navy assaults, saying that air strikes are one in all “many choices” being explored as widespread protests put the Iranian authorities underneath rising strain.
White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned on Monday that diplomacy is “all the time the primary choice” however that navy assaults are “on the desk”.
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“One factor President Trump is superb at is all the time preserving all of his choices on the desk. And air strikes could be one of many many, many choices which might be on the desk for the commander in chief,” Leavitt informed reporters.
Large-scale protests and riots have roiled Iran, with safety forces responding with a deadly crackdown during the last a number of days that’s estimated to have killed a whole lot of individuals. Iranian authorities have mentioned that scores of safety personnel have additionally been killed within the riots.
Opposition activists say the loss of life toll is increased and consists of a whole lot of protesters. Al Jazeera can’t independently confirm these figures. Particulars have been tough to confirm amid an web blackout.
Trump, who bombed Iranian nuclear facilities in June and has beforehand threatened Tehran with additional strikes if it doesn’t come into larger alignment with US calls for, had used the federal government’s harsh crackdown on protesters as a pretext for additional navy assaults in opposition to the longtime US foe.
A US strike on Iran would probably violate worldwide regulation, and Trump has steadily threatened international locations that defy his will with attainable navy strikes.
The Wall Road Journal reported on Monday that some members of the Trump administration similar to Vice President JD Vance are urging Trump to think about renewed diplomatic efforts with Tehran or different much less extreme alternate options to US strikes, citing unnamed US officers. The US president mentioned on Sunday that Iran had “referred to as” and wished to “negotiate”.
“What you’re listening to publicly from the Iranian regime is sort of completely different from the messages the administration is receiving privately,” Leavitt mentioned.
“The president has proven he’s unafraid to make use of navy choices if and when he deems essential, and no person is aware of that higher than Iran,” she added.
