Iran Protests: Tehran Threatens US Bases as Trump’s Response to Crackdown

According to a human rights group that claimed on Sunday, unrest in Iran has led to the deaths of more than 500 people. Tehran has also threatened that it will target U.S. military posts if President Donald Trump follows through on his promises to help protesters. The Iranian leadership has also called for protests around the country today (January 12, 2026) to support the Islamic Republic.

On Sunday, US President Donald Trump said that the US military was looking at "very strong options" for possible military action against Iran. This was in response to reports of violent crackdowns on the country's growing anti-government protests. Trump told reporters on Air Force One that Iran may have crossed a threshold he had set earlier about executing protestors.

“They're starting to, it looks like,” he said when asked if that line had been crossed. “Some people, who were not supposed to be killed, have been killed... If you talk about leaders, I don't know if they are leaders or just rule through violence... But we and the military are looking at it very seriously, and we are looking at some very strong options...We'll make a determination,” he added.

Trump's comments came after protests against Iran's leaders had been going on for three weeks across the country. Protesters once again filled the streets of Tehran and Mashhad, the two biggest cities in the country, as violence grew. At least 538 people have died so far, according to rights groups that are keeping an eye on the unrest.

Why This News Matters:

Iran is dealing with one of the deadliest protest movements in years. Rights groups say that more than 500 people have died in a violent crackdown. The size of the unrest shows that the country's leaders are in a worse situation and that human rights are becoming more important. The situation also makes it more likely that there will be more fighting.

Donald Trump, the president of the United States, has said that military action is possible. Iranian officials have said that they will attack U.S. bases if they are attacked. As tensions rise, the unrest could have big effects on the region and the world.

Iran’s Reply To the U.S.

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, told Washington not to "make a miscalculation." “Let us be clear: in the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories (Israel) as well as all U.S. bases and ships will be our legitimate target,” said Qalibaf, who formerly used to be a commander in Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards.

Qalibaf said the government would respond strongly to the unrest, saying, "The people of Iran should know that we will deal with them in the most severe way and punish those who are arrested." Qalibaf said, “In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets,” “We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat. “Protests went on all night and were said to be bigger and more intense than the hijab protests in 2022.

By Sunday morning, about 192 people were said to have died, but the real number is still unknown because the internet is still down. Some senior government officials said that protesters should be put to death, while others compared them to terrorists.

Trump’s Reply

US President Donald Trump said that Iran's leaders, led by Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, called him to "negotiate" after he threatened to use force against the Islamic Republic during large protests against the government. Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, "The leaders of Iran called yesterday." He went on to say, "A meeting is being set up... They want to negotiate." The US leader did say, though, "we may have to act before a meeting." The US military is keeping a close eye on the situation, according to the president. "We're taking it very seriously. The military is looking into it, and we have some very good choices. He said, "We will make a decision."

When asked if Iran had crossed a line, the President of the United States did not say what military plans they had. “Am I going to really-are you asking me to say, what will they do? Where will we attack? When and at what angle will we attack from?" he asked. Trump said he was getting "hourly" updates on what was going on in Iran, and "we're gonna make a determination." When asked about reports that protesters had died, Trump said that some deaths were caused by how crowds acted. "Some of the protesters were killed through the stampeding. I mean, you know, there's so many of 'em, and some were shot," he said.

Trump gave a blunt warning when asked if Iran or its allies might retaliate. He said, "If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they've never been hit before." "They won't even believe it." He said that Iran should already know how serious the US is. "Don't you think they take your threats seriously?" Trump asked a reporter. "After going through it for years with me being hit, Soleimani, al-Baghdadi, the Iran nuclear threat wiped out." Trump didn't say if he had talked to US allies about a response or when he would make a decision. On Tuesday, January 13, Mr. Trump is expected to meet with senior advisers to talk about what to do about Iran. Mr. Trump has said many times that he will step in if the Islamic Republic's clerical establishment uses force against protesters. This is the biggest protest since 2022. In the past few weeks, Iran has seen a lot of unrest. People in cities all over Iran are protesting against the current government.