Trump warns Iran is ‘crossing my red line’, says US weighing ‘very strong options’ as over 500 killed

Trump warns Iran is ‘crossing my red line’, says US weighing ‘very strong options’ as over 500 killed

• Trump warns Iran, says regime's protest crackdown crosses his red line
• At least 538 killed, 10,600 arrested in protests over Iran's economic crisis
• US weighs military, cyber, and sanctions responses to Iran's actions

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US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, saying the regime is “starting to cross my red line” amid an intensifying crackdown on anti-government protests that have entered their third consecutive week.

“There seems to be some people killed that aren't supposed to be killed. We are looking at it very seriously, the military is looking at it and we're looking at some very strong options,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday.

Speaking to reporters earlier onboard Air Force One, President Donald J. Trump stated that it appears Iran is starting to cross the “Red Line” he set regarding the killing of protesters, with him stating, “There seem to be some people killed that aren’t supposed to be killed.… pic.twitter.com/qXintEgyck

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 12, 2026

The protests, the largest since 2022, erupted on December 28 over Iran’s deepening economic crisis, triggered by the collapse of the national currency. The rial has reportedly plunged to nearly 1.4 million to the US dollar, fuelling nationwide anger that has increasingly targeted Iran’s ruling system.

According to reports, at least 538 people have been killed and more than 10,600 arrested since demonstrations began. US-based activists say the toll could be significantly higher, citing widespread internet blackouts that have limited independent verification. Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has enabled Starlink satellite services to help bypass state-imposed restrictions.

Trump reiterated his warning on Sunday, saying the administration is actively weighing its response.

“We’re looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned to Washington from Mar-a-Lago. “We’ll make a determination.”

The president is scheduled to receive a high-level briefing on Tuesday, January 13, focused on potential military, cyber, and sanctions-based responses to Tehran’s actions.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Trump’s stance, saying, “The United States stands with the courageous people of Iran,” reinforcing the president’s message on Truth Social, “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”

Inside Iran, the unrest has drawn fierce resistance from the political establishment. Iranian lawmakers chanted “Death to America” in parliament, accusing the US and Israel of inciting unrest. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has declared national security a red line, while officials warned that US regional bases and Israeli sites would be considered “legitimate targets” if Washington intervenes.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has dismissed protesters as foreign-backed saboteurs, even as Iran struggles with inflation estimated at 42 percent and mounting economic pressure from sanctions.

As tensions escalate, the unfolding crisis poses one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.