US President Donald Trump is contemplating military intervention in Iran following violent protests that have resulted in substantial casualties. Recent briefings presented Trump with various strategies to confront Iran's regime, should it resort to lethal actions against demonstrators. Among these are potential strikes on Tehran's security forces, although concerns exist over potential backlash.

These military options aim to pressure Iran, but there's apprehension they might unintentionally bolster support for the Iranian government or provoke military retaliation. Alongside, Trump is considering alternatives like cyber operations against military or regime targets and has not ruled out further economic sanctions. There's also mention of enhancing internet connectivity in Iran, akin to past US initiatives, to help protestors access information despite government blackouts.

Given the complexity, numerous agencies have been tasked to develop strategies, with a high-level meeting expected next week as violence escalates. Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, has issued stern warnings, signalling potential retaliation against US interests if military action is taken.

Though Trump has yet to finalise a decision, he remains intent on supporting Iranian protests as civilian casualties rise. Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) report thousands of arrests and hundreds of deaths during the unrest, though these figures remain unverified by independent sources. Trump has publicly declared the US’s readiness to act should Tehran’s regime escalate its aggressive stance.

Conversations between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have occurred, focusing on protests and regional stability in Syria and Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence Forces are monitoring the situation and maintaining readiness amidst rising tensions, according to CNN.

Key Takeaways

• Trump considers military and non-military options in response to Iran's clampdown on protestors.

• Iranian retaliation threats surface as the US deliberates on intervention measures.

• Regional and international actors, including Israel, remain vigilant and prepared.

Relates Stories:

Iran Collapse Under Trump? The New "Maximum Pressure" Strategy

Protester Scales Iranian Embassy Balcony in London

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN 2026-01-12

 

 

Trumps all wind he talks the big line like threatening iran, russia, Greenland has he backed up his threats no not even a strong worded letter. All gob.

I don't know which rock you've been hiding under, but this a**hole has invaded a soveriegn country recently (Venezuela) picked up their leader and brought him back to the states using force.

Doing Iran is a no-brainer for this no-brain idiot, because he cares a sh*t for American soldiers lives, only lives for applause and adoration.

Wonder if Iran should be considering an armed intervention on the US to help quell the demonstrations in the US - including the fatal ones?

President Donald Trump says the US military is considering "very strong options" in Iran, as anti-government protests which have reportedly killed hundreds enter a third week.

The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) says it has verified the deaths of nearly 500 protesters and 48 security personnel in Iran, while sources tell the BBC the death toll could be much higher.

A US official told the BBC's US news partner CBS that Trump has been briefed on options for military strikes on Iran.

Other approaches could include boosting anti-government sources online, using cyber-weapons against Iran's military, or imposing more sanctions, officials told the Wall Street Journal.

There's a distressing video from the BBC enclosed in the link. Very sad.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czdqy3rmp78o

Send the B52's.

On 1/12/2026 at 6:00 AM, webfact said:

US President Donald Trump is contemplating military intervention in Iran following violent protests that have resulted in substantial casualties. Recent briefings presented Trump with various strategies to confront Iran's regime, should it resort to lethal actions against demonstrators. Among these are potential strikes on Tehran's security forces, although concerns exist over potential backlash.

These military options aim to pressure Iran, but there's apprehension they might unintentionally bolster support for the Iranian government or provoke military retaliation. Alongside, Trump is considering alternatives like cyber operations against military or regime targets and has not ruled out further economic sanctions. There's also mention of enhancing internet connectivity in Iran, akin to past US initiatives, to help protestors access information despite government blackouts.

Given the complexity, numerous agencies have been tasked to develop strategies, with a high-level meeting expected next week as violence escalates. Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, has issued stern warnings, signalling potential retaliation against US interests if military action is taken.

Though Trump has yet to finalise a decision, he remains intent on supporting Iranian protests as civilian casualties rise. Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) report thousands of arrests and hundreds of deaths during the unrest, though these figures remain unverified by independent sources. Trump has publicly declared the US’s readiness to act should Tehran’s regime escalate its aggressive stance.

Conversations between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have occurred, focusing on protests and regional stability in Syria and Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence Forces are monitoring the situation and maintaining readiness amidst rising tensions, according to CNN.

Key Takeaways

• Trump considers military and non-military options in response to Iran's clampdown on protestors.

• Iranian retaliation threats surface as the US deliberates on intervention measures.

• Regional and international actors, including Israel, remain vigilant and prepared.

Relates Stories:

Iran Collapse Under Trump? The New "Maximum Pressure" Strategy

Protester Scales Iranian Embassy Balcony in London

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN 2026-01-12

 

 

Way to go Donald, stir up another hornets nest, the world doesn't have enough areas of conflict. Sort out your ICE agents first before you have a civil war on your hands.

The regime's nationwide internet and communications blackout (now in its 5th day, over 100–120+ hours since starting around January 8 evening) has cut off almost all reliable, direct information flow from inside Iran. This includes:

• Fixed internet → Effectively zero connectivity for most users.

• Mobile data → Severely restricted or offline.

• Phone calls/texts → Largely blocked domestically and internationally.

• Social media/apps → Inaccessible without rare bypass tools.

So there is an internet blackout in Iran, but Musk's Starlink is working.

But the regime is actively jamming Starlink signals using military-grade equipment (packet loss up to 80% in some areas, especially Tehran). Russia/China may be helping with tech. Many users face raids if caught with terminals, but a trickle still works (e.g., in less-monitored areas or with modified setups).

Trump mentioned discussing this with Musk recently, signaling potential US backing to expand/strengthen it (e.g., anti-jamming tech or more satellites). Diaspora and rights groups are pushing hard for this as priority #1.

The blackout creates a deliberate "fog of war" inside Iran. There are fragments from reliable sources, but no clear, comprehensive picture of the minute-by-minute or even day-by-day reality. This is why rights groups warn it's concealing potential large-scale atrocities, and why calls for restoring connectivity (e.g., via Starlink enhancements) are so urgent.

1 hour ago, koolkarl said:

Send the B52's.

Not possible. Already busy making US foreign policy

This is scary time when you have an unhinged POTUS with false bravado and no adults in the room. He may launch an invasion on impulse with no clear end game and ignite the whole region into conflict. Let us pray that the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei don't do a Trump's dance jig that will give reason to the man child to launch a military invasion.

Clearly a different order of problem-solving required than was involved with Venezuela.

...Solve Your Own Problems First, Bubba...(?)

...Always Want To Be So Helpful When There Are Spoils Up For Grabs...(?)

...Even If It's Just Territory...(?)

I Was Looking For Another Quote, But This Will Do

Any excuse will serve a tyrant. Aesop

The Peace President.

A piece of Venezuela, a piece of Greenland, a piece of Ukraine.

The man of thousand lies who is unfortunately the President.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We're not looking for regime change. We've learned that lesson a long time ago.

We're not looking for regime change. They've tried that.

We must abandon the failed policy of nation-building and regime change.

He said that in 2019, 2020 and 2016. And again, as he ran to retake the White House in 2024, Trump made the same case against then-President Biden.

3 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

The regime's nationwide internet and communications blackout (now in its 5th day, over 100–120+ hours since starting around January 8 evening) has cut off almost all reliable, direct information flow from inside Iran. This includes:

• Fixed internet → Effectively zero connectivity for most users.

• Mobile data → Severely restricted or offline.

• Phone calls/texts → Largely blocked domestically and internationally.

• Social media/apps → Inaccessible without rare bypass tools.

So there is an internet blackout in Iran, but Musk's Starlink is working.

But the regime is actively jamming Starlink signals using military-grade equipment (packet loss up to 80% in some areas, especially Tehran). Russia/China may be helping with tech. Many users face raids if caught with terminals, but a trickle still works (e.g., in less-monitored areas or with modified setups).

Trump mentioned discussing this with Musk recently, signaling potential US backing to expand/strengthen it (e.g., anti-jamming tech or more satellites). Diaspora and rights groups are pushing hard for this as priority #1.

The blackout creates a deliberate "fog of war" inside Iran. There are fragments from reliable sources, but no clear, comprehensive picture of the minute-by-minute or even day-by-day reality. This is why rights groups warn it's concealing potential large-scale atrocities, and why calls for restoring connectivity (e.g., via Starlink enhancements) are so urgent.

You do realize that cutting the internet means the rioters cannot communicate effectively with their handlers (cia/mosad) outside the country. The violence has subsided already as a result.

16 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

You do realize that cutting the internet means the rioters cannot communicate effectively with their handlers (cia/mosad) outside the country. The violence has subsided already as a result.

Ah, the classic regime talking point: "Cut the internet, kill the 'handlers,' and poof—protests vanish." Nice try, but reality isn't that tidy.The blackout (now 5+ days in, connectivity at ~1% per NetBlocks) does cripple coordination and makes it harder for protesters to share evidence or organize big crowds in real time. But claiming violence has "subsided already" is pure spin—it's not subsided; it's just hidden.

• HRANA (US-based rights group with internal networks) reported nighttime demonstrations continuing on Day 13 (Jan 9–10), intensified crackdowns, and judicial threats—despite the shutdown.

• As of Jan 11–13 updates: Death toll keeps rising (HRANA at 544–646 confirmed killed, including recent spikes; Amnesty warns of more under the blackout cover).

• Protests have hit all 31 provinces, 585+ locations, with reports of ongoing clashes (e.g., Tehran, Zahedan, Karaj, Fardis) even as visible online videos drop sharply—because people can't post them, not because they've stopped.

• The regime's own pro-government rallies (Jan 12) and threats (e.g., "four-front war") show they're still worried, not relaxed. If unrest truly subsided, why keep the blackout going and jam Starlink?

This is the President who pulled the US out of the Iran nuclear deal.

Who said he wasn't going to get the US involved in any foreign wars.

He needs to be very careful the last thing anyone wants is to see body bags arriving at airports in the US.

He should concentrate on US domestic problems.

No sympathy for Iran from this previous American Embassy Employee. You get what you asked for!

28 minutes ago, Suetape said:

No sympathy for Iran from this previous American Embassy Employee. You get what you asked for!

WOW. Do you mind sharing the main function of the embassy in Tehran back then?

The U.S. State Department issued a security alert on January 12, 2026, advising U.S. citizens in Iran to leave immediately due to escalating protests, or shelter in place if unable.

https://ir.usembassy.gov/iran-security-alert-land-border-crossings-january-12-2026/

7 minutes ago, novacova said:

The U.S. State Department issued a security alert on January 12, 2026, advising U.S. citizens in Iran to leave immediately due to escalating protests, or shelter in place if unable.

https://ir.usembassy.gov/iran-security-alert-land-border-crossings-january-12-2026/

Air strikes are imminent. It's all about Iran's weapons of mass destruction that the US said they destroyed a while ago, but will now say they didn't, so need to strike again. 🙂

I assume it's taking so long because target choice is difficult. You can't just bomb police and/or army indiscriminately, as there have been reports of police siding with prostesters. If the regime is to be toppled, parts of the military or the police must be on your side. If every armed group in Society is prepared to defend the regime up to the last, there's not much you can do except nuke everybody.

My layman's uneducated advice to Trump would be to start by taking out the obnoxious propaganda state TV.

2 minutes ago, JackGats said:

My layman's uneducated advice to Trump would be to start by taking out the obnoxious propaganda state TV.

My advice would be to get satellite internet to the population up and running, and then funnel arms, ammunition, and bombs to the insurgents through the back door. I'm sure Israel can help in this regard. How funny would that be. Israel were dropping bombs on Iran, then they give them bombs. 🙂

12 hours ago, soalbundy said:

Way to go Donald, stir up another hornets nest, the world doesn't have enough areas of conflict. Sort out your ICE agents first before you have a civil war on your hands.

civil war is exactly what trump wants its the only way he can hold onto power, suspend elections declare marshal law

Now we can call out Trump as a Blackmailer. He is threatening to place Tarrifs on any country that go against his plans to Anexxe Greenland.