Trump Sends Dangerously Mixed Messages on Iran Protests
President Trump declared on Sunday that Iran crossed a “red line” after the country’s violent crackdown on anti-government protest, before walking it back.
“On Iran, have they crossed your red line yet to trigger a response?” a reporter asked the president while aboard Air Force One.
“They’re starting to, it looks like. And there seem to be some people killed that aren’t supposed to be killed,” Trump said. “You can call ’em leaders; I don’t know if they’re leaders … they rule through violence. But we’re looking at it very seriously … we’re looking at some very strong options.”
REPORTER: Is Iran crossing your red line?
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) January 12, 2026
TRUMP: "They're starting to. There seem to be some people killed!"
"Military is looking at it. We have strong options." pic.twitter.com/7L3dQeX5zo
But he then floated negotiating with the leaders ruling “through violence.”
“Iran called to negotiate [yesterday] … the leaders of Iran,” he told reporters. “I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States.
“A meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what is happening before the meeting, but a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate.”
???? DEVELOPING — Trump says Iranian leaders have called him directly and want to negotiate.
— Ardavan M. Khoshnood (@ardavank) January 12, 2026
“They called. They want to negotiate. A meeting is being set up,” Trump says — adding that the US may still act before talks take place “because of what’s happening.”
Clear signal:… pic.twitter.com/In6VzoD8vt
At least 544 protesters have been reported dead and 10,600 detained by the Islamic Republic of Iran as demonstrations enter their third week. Iranians are entering their fifth day without internet access.