January 13 2026. President Donald Trump got a briefing from Pentagon officials about Iran. They talked about covert measures against Iran. This is happening because of the protests against the government in Iran. These protests have been very deadly. Have killed hundreds of people. I found this out from United States defense sources who talked to news places like CBS News and the BBC about President Donald Trump and the situation, with Iran.
The meetings that happened on Monday and will keep going with a meeting about national security at the White House on Tuesday talk about things that the United States can do to Iran. These things are not the usual airstrikes. The United States is thinking about launching missiles from away at specific targets. The United States is also thinking about doing things on computers to hurt Irans military. The way they talk to each other. This includes trying to mess with the military command structures and the communications networks that Iran uses. The United States wants to stop the state-run media from working properly. The United States is also thinking about doing things to make the people in the government confused and unsure of what to do. The United States wants to make it hard for Iran to make decisions. The meetings are about what the United States can do, to Iran.
Some people who work for the Department of Defense talked to CBS News. They did not want to say their names because they were talking about security. These Department of Defense officials said that the United States has not made a decision yet. The United States is still talking to Tehran through channels. This is happening even though the United States and Tehran are saying some words that make it seem like things might get worse. The Department of Defense officials and the talks with Tehran are important because they are about security and the relationship, between the United States and Tehran.
The situation is getting worse with the -government protests that started in late December because people are really struggling with the high cost of living the value of money is going down and the economy is in bad shape. These protests have now turned into people demanding that the government step down. Human rights groups say that over 600 people have died in the three weeks. They blame the security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij militia for using deadly force, against people. The government has also cut off the internet and limited communication, which has made it even harder for protesters to get their message out.
President Trump has said times that the United States will get involved if the Iranian government keeps doing bad things to people like they did before. On Sunday President Trump talked to reporters on Air Force One. He said “We are thinking about this carefully. The military is thinking about it too. We are thinking about some very tough choices.” President Trump also said that Iran wants to talk to the United States. He is worried that if people keep getting hurt it will be hard to have any kind of conversation. President Trump and the Iranian government are still a concern, for the United States.
So Trump made a decision on Monday. He said that the United States will put a 25% tariff on goods from any country that does business with Iran. This change starts now. This is going to make things even tougher for Irans economy, which is already having a lot of problems. The tariff on goods, from any country doing business with Iran is really going to hurt Iran.
The Iranian officials are not backing down. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran is willing to talk. Only if everyone is treated with respect. He also made it clear that Iran is ready for war if that is what happens. Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said that if the United States gets involved Iranian forces will consider Israeli military assets in the region as fair targets. Iranian officials, like Abbas Araghchi and Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf are making it clear that Iran is not afraid of a fight. The Iranian government is standing firm on this issue. Iranian officials are warning everyone that they will do what it takes to protect Iran.
The situation is very tricky. On one hand Iran protesters might get help from things like cyber disruptions or targeted strikes on security forces. These things could support the protesters without needing a full-scale invasion of Iran. On the hand if there is a bigger military action in Iran it could make Iranians support their government more. This could also lead to the Iranians fighting back or cause problems in the region. People are also worried that civilians in Iran might get hurt by mistake. Another concern is that military action could make hardliners in Iran more powerful. The Iran protesters and the people of Iran are the focus here and the goal is to support the protesters in Iran without causing more problems, for the people of Iran.
The White House Press Secretary said that the White House Press Secretary thinks talking things out is always the way to start. The White House Press Secretary also said that the president of the United States is not afraid to use the military if the president of the United States thinks it is necessary.
As protests persist and death tolls rise, the coming days could prove pivotal, with Tuesday’s White House discussions potentially shaping U.S. policy toward one of the Middle East’s most volatile flashpoints.
