White House Says Trump Weighing Air Strikes on Iran as Protests Turn Deadly

US President Donald Trump is considering air strikes against Iran in response to its violent crackdown on protesters, the White House said on Monday, noting that people were being “killed on the streets.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, however, that diplomatic efforts are still underway, with Iran adopting a “far different tone” in private talks with Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff.

“One thing President Trump is very good at is always keeping all of his options on the table. And air strikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the commander in chief,” Leavitt told reporters outside the West Wing.

She stressed that “diplomacy is always the first option for the president.”

“What you’re hearing publicly from the Iranian regime is quite different from the messages the administration is receiving privately, and I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages,” Leavitt added.

Earlier on Monday, Iran’s foreign ministry confirmed that a line of communication remains open between its top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, and Witkoff, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations between Tehran and Washington.

Trump said on Sunday that the US military was examining “very strong options” against Iran, saying it “looks like” Tehran had crossed his previously stated red line after reports of protesters being killed.

He added that Iran’s leaders had sought a meeting but warned that “we may have to act before a meeting.”

Human rights groups have reported a rising death toll, with details continuing to emerge despite a days-long internet shutdown in Iran.

Leavitt appeared to confirm the fatalities, saying: “He certainly doesn’t want to see people being killed in the streets of Tehran, and unfortunately that’s something we’re seeing right now.”

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