The president has proven he’s more than bark. Just ask Venezuela’s Maduro.
And now Donald Trump threatened total war if this nation doesn’t bend the knee.
President Trump addressed the escalating situation in Iran during remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday evening, as nationwide protests against the regime continue to claim lives and draw international attention.
Trump’s Response to Iran’s Outreach
President Trump revealed that Iranian leaders reached out over the weekend, expressing a desire to talk. “Iran wants to negotiate, yes. We may meet with them, I mean a meeting is being set up,” he said.
He added, “But we may have to act, because of what’s happening, before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up, Iran called — they want to negotiate.”
This comes after his earlier statements putting Tehran on notice about the violent suppression of demonstrators, including his Truth Social post declaring the U.S. “locked and loaded and ready” to support peaceful protesters if the regime resorted to deadly force.
The Human Cost of the Crackdown
The unrest has grown increasingly deadly, with reports indicating severe casualties among those taking to the streets.
According to estimates from U.S.-based Human Rights Activists in Iran, at least 496 protesters have lost their lives in the two weeks of demonstrations, and more than 10,600 people have been detained.
Trump noted the gravity of the violence, saying, “There seemed to be some people k*lled that aren’t supposed to be k*lled,” and mentioned receiving hourly briefings on developments.
He described some deaths resulting from stampedes amid the crowds and others from shootings, underscoring that “we’re looking at it very seriously.”
Weighing Options and Deterrence
The president emphasized that the U.S. military is actively reviewing possibilities in response to the ongoing repression.
“The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some strong options, and we’re going to be making a determination,” he stated.
When pressed about potential Iranian retaliation—after warnings from Tehran’s parliament speaker that U.S. and Israeli targets could be hit—Trump delivered a firm warning: “If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before.”
His approach reflects a readiness to protect American interests and support those risking everything for change, while leaving the door open for dialogue if circumstances allow.
