U.S. President Donald Trump said he is considering “very strong” military options against Iran as the country faces deadly protests that have reportedly killed hundreds. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said Iran appears to be crossing previously stated red lines regarding the deaths of protesters. “They’re starting to, it looks like,” he said. “We’re looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options. We’ll decide.” Trump also claimed that Iran had reached out to propose negotiations. “I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States,” he said. “Iran wants to negotiate.” The unrest in Iran has been severe, with rights groups reporting hundreds of deaths. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said at least 538 people have been killed, including 490 protesters, and over 10,600 arrested. Norway-based Iran Human Rights reported 192 protesters killed. Access to accurate information has been limited due to a nationwide internet blackout, and no official Iranian figures are available. The crackdown has intensified international concern, raising the possibility of U.S. intervention. Trump reiterated his willingness to act to protect Iranian civilians. On Truth Social, he wrote: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!” Iranian officials have responded with warnings. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament and a former Revolutionary Guards commander, said any attack on Iran would make U.S. and Israeli interests in the region “legitimate targets.” He stressed that all American bases and ships could be considered valid targets in case of a military strike. Trump is reportedly considering multiple options, including airstrikes, cyberattacks, expanded sanctions, and online support for anti-government groups inside Iran. Meanwhile, Reza Pahlavi, the U.S.-based son of Iran’s former shah, urged state employees and security forces to join the protests, framing it as a choice between supporting the people or backing “murderers of the people.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused foreign adversaries of escalating the unrest by “bringing terrorists from abroad into the country.” State media reported Pezeshkian encouraged citizens to join a “national resistance march” to denounce the violence. The protest movement began amid economic instability, including a sharp decline in the national currency, but has evolved into a broader call for political reform and the government’s removal. Iranian authorities have detained key organizers, with national police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan stating that arrests of “main elements in the riots” had been made and legal procedures would follow. The attorney general warned that protesters and those aiding them could be charged as “enemies of God,” a crime punishable by death. Israel is reportedly monitoring U.S. decisions closely. Officials are remaining publicly quiet to avoid allowing Iranian authorities to portray the protests as foreign-backed. The Iranian government imposed a near-total internet blackout on Thursday, limiting access to independent information. Human rights groups say authorities have used the blackout to expand their crackdown, employing live ammunition and deadly force to disperse demonstrations. Only occasional messages and videos from activists, often using satellite internet like Starlink, have reached the outside world. In the city of Sari, activists reported that security forces had enforced complete martial law. The crackdown has highlighted the extreme measures taken to suppress dissent while the international community weighs responses to the escalating crisis. Trump’s statements mark a significant escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions, with military, diplomatic, and cyber strategies under consideration. As protests continue and the death toll rises, global attention remains focused on Tehran and Washington’s next moves.