US President Donald Trump has been briefed on military options against Iran over a violent crackdown on protests that has left more than 600 people dead but is holding off for now after receiving private messages from Tehran, the White House said Monday.
Trump has repeatedly threatened military action if Iran uses deadly force against anti-government protesters, a red line Washington says Iran is "starting to cross".
Media reports indicate Pentagon officials have discussed long-range missile attacks, cyber operations and psychological campaign responses.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump is exploring messages from Iranian regime officials. "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 told reporters Monday.
"However, with that said, the president has shown he's unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary, and nobody knows that better than Iran."
Tariffs against countries doing business with Tehran
Trump announced Monday he would impose 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Tehran "effective immediately," in his first action penalising Iran for the protest crackdown.
"Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "This Order is final and conclusive."
China, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Brazil and Russia are among the countries that do business with Tehran. The White House declined to offer further comment or details about the tariff announcement.
Leavitt confirmed Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff will be a key player engaging Tehran.
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and key White House National Security Council officials began meeting Friday to develop a "suite of options" from diplomatic approaches to military strikes to present to Trump in coming days, according to US media reports.
Trump told reporters Sunday a "meeting is being set up" with Iranian officials but cautioned "we may have to act because of what's happening before the meeting." "We're watching the situation very carefully," Trump said.
The demonstrations are the biggest Iran has seen in years. Protests spurred by the Iranian currency collapse have morphed into a larger test of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's rule.
Now in their third week, the anti-government protests have seen more than 500 protesters killed and almost 10,700 arrested, according to a US-based rights group.
Iran's parliamentary speaker warned US military and Israel would be "legitimate targets" if Washington uses force to protect demonstrators. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is open to talks but remains "prepared for war."
