US Warns ‘All Options Are On The Table’ As Iran Crisis Explodes At UN

The United States has issued a stark warning to Iran that military action remains firmly “on the table,” as Washington and Tehran clashed during an emergency session of the UN Security Council amid a brutal crackdown on protests inside the Islamic Republic.

According to the Associated Press, US Ambassador Mike Waltz told the council that President Donald Trump is prepared to act decisively if Iran’s leadership continues what activists describe as a nationwide bloodbath. Protest groups say at least 2,677 people have been killed as demonstrations were violently suppressed, with internet and communications still largely cut off.

“President Trump is a man of action, not endless talk like we see at the United Nations,” Waltz said. “He has made it clear that all options are on the table to stop the slaughter. And no one should know that better than the leadership of the Iranian regime.”

The remarks came despite Trump’s parallel efforts to publicly signal de-escalation. Behind the scenes, however, regional diplomats warned that Washington could still intervene militarily. Officials from Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar reportedly spent the past 48 hours cautioning that US involvement could destabilize the global economy and ignite a wider regional conflict.

Iran’s deputy UN ambassador Hossein Darzi accused Washington of orchestrating unrest under the guise of human rights, claiming the US was laying the groundwork for “political destabilization and military intervention” through a humanitarian narrative.

The meeting also featured emotional testimony from Iranian dissidents Masih Alinejad and Ahmad Batebi. Alinejad said Tehran had tried to assassinate her three times, including an attempted hit outside her Brooklyn home. Batebi described being tortured in Iranian prisons, saying guards cut his body and poured salt into the wounds.

Not Enough Fire Power

Meanwhile, reports suggest Trump previously halted planned strikes on Iran after being warned they lacked sufficient firepower to meaningfully weaken the regime and could trigger a far bloodier war. US and Middle Eastern officials told the Wall Street Journal that even a major bombing campaign was unlikely to topple Iran’s leadership.

Despite the pause, Trump has reportedly ordered military assets positioned in case Iran retaliates — or if Washington decides force is unavoidable.

Key Takeaways

• The US warned Iran at the UN that military action remains an option.

• Iran accused Washington of fueling unrest to justify intervention.

• Trump has paused strikes — but is keeping military plans ready as tensions escalate.

SOURCE EXPRESS US

I think this is a bit old, isn't it? Trump has since walked back the talk of attack. I watched him (yesterday?) saying they (Iran) would not execute 800 people. "I greatly respect the fact that all scheduled hangings, which were to take place yesterday (Over 800 of them), have been cancelled by the leadership of Iran. Thank you!" he (Trump) posted on social media.

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/iran-protests-abate-after-deadly-crackdown-residents-rights-group-say-2026-01-16/