Trump briefed on military and covert options for Iran
By BBC, January 13, 2026President Donald Trump has been briefed on a wide range of covert and military tools for use in Iran, two Department of Defence officials told the BBC‘s US partner, CBS News.
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 per cent tariff on goods from countries with commercial ties to Iran on Monday, January 12, 2026, 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, January 13, 2026, 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.
On Monday, January 12, 2026, 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.
Khamenei accused the US of “deceit” and relying on “treacherous mercenaries“, while praising state-organised pro-government rallies held in Iran on Monday.
He said the “Iranian nation is a powerful one, is aware and knows its enemies and is present in every scene”.
State media said large crowds gathered in several cities following calls for pro-government demonstrations. BBC Persian has seen text messages inviting people inside the country to attend these demonstrations, while also warning them not to take part in anti-government protests.
Separately on Monday, Trump said on his Truth Social platform he would impose a 25% tariff on goods from countries that are “doing business” with Tehran, without elaborating.
“This order is final and conclusive,” he added.