Trump Weighs Response as Iran Signals Openness to US Talks
Dubai — January 13, 2026: Iran has said it is keeping communication channels open with the United States as President Donald Trump considers how to respond to Tehran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests, one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s clerical leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Key Developments
- President Donald Trump is weighing diplomatic and military options following Iran’s deadly crackdown on nationwide protests.
- Tehran says communication channels with Washington remain open despite escalating U.S. pressure and tariff threats.
- Rising unrest in Iran and potential U.S. action have pushed global oil prices to seven-week highs.
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According to Reuters, President Trump on Monday warned of additional pressure on Iran, announcing that any country continuing to do business with Tehran would face a 25 percent tariff on exports to the United States. Trump described the order as “final and conclusive” in a social media post, though the White House did not clarify the legal framework for imposing the measure.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations declined to comment on the tariff threat. Iran, already under extensive U.S. sanctions, exports much of its oil to China, while Turkey, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and India are also among its major trading partners. China criticized Washington’s move, warning it would take “all necessary measures” to protect its interests and opposing what it termed unilateral sanctions.
Trump has also warned Iran’s leadership against using lethal force on protesters, saying the United States could respond militarily if violence continues. He stated that Washington remains in contact with Iranian opposition figures and has not ruled out direct engagement with Iranian officials.
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Protests that erupted on December 28 over soaring prices and economic hardship have since evolved into broader calls for the end of clerical rule. U.S.-based rights group HRANA reported that at least 646 people have been killed so far, including protesters, security personnel and bystanders, with more deaths under investigation. Over 10,700 people have reportedly been arrested, though Reuters said the figures could not be independently verified.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said diplomacy remains the administration’s preferred option, noting that private messages from Tehran differ from public rhetoric. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed that communications with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff are ongoing, despite what he described as incompatible U.S. threats.
Iranian authorities have blamed the violence on foreign interference and said security forces are combating what they describe as terrorist groups. State media reported the detention of several alleged militant teams, while officials claimed dozens of mosques and ambulances had been set ablaze during unrest.
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The U.S. State Department has advised American citizens to leave Iran due to heightened security risks, warning of possible questioning, arrest, or detention.
President Trump is expected to meet senior advisers to discuss options that may include expanded sanctions, cyber operations, or limited military action. Tehran has warned that any attack on Iran would prompt retaliation against U.S. bases and Israeli targets in the region.
Amid growing tensions, global oil prices climbed to seven-week highs, reflecting concerns over potential disruptions to Iran’s energy exports and broader regional instability.
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