The White Home says that US may perform air strikes towards Iran however would favor diplomatic answer.
Printed On 12 Jan 2026
The administration of United States President Donald Trump has continued to threaten Iran with army assaults, saying that air strikes are one in every of “many choices” being explored as widespread protests put the Iranian authorities below rising stress.
White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned on Monday that diplomacy is “at all times the primary choice” however that army assaults are “on the desk”.
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“One factor President Trump is excellent at is at all times retaining all of his choices on the desk. And air strikes can be one of many many, many choices which can 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 bunch 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 contains a whole bunch 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 army assaults towards the longtime US foe.
A US strike on Iran would seemingly violate worldwide regulation, and Trump has incessantly threatened international locations that defy his will with doable army strikes.
The Wall Road Journal reported on Monday that some members of the Trump administration corresponding 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 “known as” and wished to “negotiate”.
“What you’re listening to publicly from the Iranian regime is kind of completely different from the messages the administration is receiving privately,” Leavitt mentioned.
“The president has proven he’s unafraid to make use of army choices if and when he deems crucial, and no person is aware of that higher than Iran,” she added.
