Trump briefed on military, covert options for Iran

Pentagon officials also present cyber operations and psychological campaign responses

FE Team | Published: January 13, 2026 21:39:58

NEW YORK, Jan 13 (BBC/AP): Long-range missile strikes remain an option for a potential US intervention, but Pentagon officials have also presented cyber operations and psychological campaign responses, the sources said.
Trump announced a 25% tariff on goods from countries with commercial ties to Iran on Monday, as rights groups say more than 600 protesters have been killed in three weeks of anti-government protests.
Iran's foreign minister has said Tehran is open to talks with Washington, but remains "prepared for war".
Trump's national security team is expected to hold a meeting at the White House on Tuesday to discuss options for Iran, the sources said, but it is unclear whether the president himself will be in attendance.
The US president had earlier said that his military was weighing "very strong options" to intervene if more protesters were killed. Trump said Iranian leaders had called him "to negotiate", but added that the US "may have to act before a meeting".
Frustration over the collapse of the Iranian currency and economic mismanagement has expanded into a crisis of legitimacy for Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Fars, Iran's state-linked news agency, claimed that Monday night was the "calm after the storm" following weeks of protests, with a "night free from unrest" in many cities including the capital Tehran.
However, the BBC has received footage from people who claim protests took place in a number of locations across the country. Due to an ongoing internet blackout, it is difficult to verify when the videos were filmed.
On Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said an Iranian official had also contacted Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, adding that Tehran's public stance is "quite [different] from the messages the administration is receiving privately".
However, she warned that the US president is "unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary".
The two sources, who requested anonymity to discuss national security matters with CBS, said that any US military response in Iran will likely involve air power, but that planners are also considering options to disrupt Iranian command structures and communications.
The US has urged its citizens in Iran to leave or have a plan to depart the country that does not require US government assistance.
People describe heavy
security, scattered
damage in first
calls to outside world
Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days Tuesday after authorities severed communications during a crackdown on nationwide protests that activists say killed at least 646 people, giving a glimpse of life after being cut off from the outside world.
Witnesses described a heavy security presence in central Tehran, burned-out government buildings, smashed ATMs and few passersby. Meanwhile, people remain concerned about what comes next, including the possibility of strikes after U.S. President Donald Trump said he could possibly use the military to defend peaceful protesters. Trump also has said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington.
"My customers talk about Trump's reaction while wondering if he plans a military strike against the Islamic Republic," said shopkeeper Mahmoud, who gave only his first name out of concerns for his safety. "I don't expect Trump or any other foreign country cares about the interests of Iranians."
Reza, a taxi driver who also gave just his first name, said protests remain on many people's minds. "People - particularly young ones - are hopeless but they talk about continuing the protests," he said.
Several people in Tehran were able to call The Associated Press on Tuesday morning and speak to a journalist there.