Trump says he is considering a "strong" military response to the situation in Iran, but that the regime "wants to negotiate."

BarcelonaUS President Donald Trump said early this morning that Iranian leaders had "called" him and "want to negotiate," after threatening possible military action in retaliation for the repression of protests in the country"A meeting is being prepared. Iran has called. They want to negotiate," Trump told a group of reporters aboard Air Force One, after noting that he receives hourly updates on the protests and assuring them that his administration will make "a decision, considering very strong options." "Perhaps we will have to act before a meeting," he added. The president said that the Iranian government "is beginning" to cross a red line, as "people have died who weren't going to die," which he attributed to a regime of "violence." "Some of the protesters died in a stampede, because there were so many people. And some were shot," he said. Trump explained that the U.S. military is "studying" a response and that "there are a couple of options": "They're asking me what to do, where to attack, when, and from what angle," he said. Trump said he is leaving the door open to negotiations because Iran "takes its threats seriously," given past events. And he mentioned the fate of Iranian Revolutionary Guard General Qasem Soleimani and Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was killed in US airstrikes during his first term. Trump also asserted that "the Iranian nuclear threat has diminished," and recalled the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, an ally of Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqxi responded on Monday that the country is prepared for war, but is also willing to negotiate. "We are not seeking war, but we are prepared for war—even more prepared than before," he declared at a conference with foreign ambassadors in Tehran, broadcast on state television. He was referring to the 12-day war with Israel last June, in which the United States joined in to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities.

According to The Wall Street JournalTrump will meet with his cabinet on Tuesday for the first formal discussion on possible actions, including cyberattacks, sanctions, and bombings. Trump has also indicated that he plans to call Elon Musk to discuss sending Starlink satellites to Iran so that "the internet keeps working," given the blackout imposed by the Iranian regime to silence protesters. According to data from the US-based NGO Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 538 people have died in the protests that began on December 28th over the economic crisis and have spread throughout the country, challenging the regime.

Spain rejects the path of "force"

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has demanded that the Iranian government "respect the freedom of peaceful assembly," "cease the violence" against protesters, and restore "freedom of communication." Albares also rejected the possibility of US intervention. "The use of external force against Iran can only lead to more chaos. Peace, democracy, and respect for human rights always come through dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiation," he told reporters after a luncheon at the Ateneo de Madrid.