Washington - New York: Europe and the Arabs

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is considering military action against Iran in light of the rapidly escalating events and ongoing protests in Tehran.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, according to the Wall Street Journal, that he is considering military options to strike Iran after the regime began crossing his red line of not killing protesters (as he put it). According to the Middle East News Agency, Trump said: “We are considering very strong options. If Iran responds to an American attack by targeting American forces in the region, we will strike them at levels never seen before.”

He added, “Iranian leaders have called for negotiations, and we may have to act before the meeting. A meeting is being arranged. They want to negotiate.”

The newspaper noted that Trump is not expected to make a final decision, as the deliberations are still in their early stages. The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament had threatened on Sunday to attack US military bases in the Middle East if the United States takes first action. Trump's Comment on Internet in Iran

Trump indicated that he intends to work on restoring internet service to Iranians, saying, "I will discuss this with Elon Musk," after Iranian authorities cut off the internet amid ongoing protests.

For his part, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed shock at reports of violence and excessive use of force by Iranian authorities against protesters in multiple locations across Iran, resulting in dozens of deaths and numerous injuries in recent days.

According to the UN Daily News, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement issued on Sunday that all Iranians must be able to express their grievances peacefully and without fear, and that the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, as enshrined in international law, must be fully respected and protected.

He added that the Secretary-General urges Iranian authorities to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from the use of unnecessary or disproportionate force.

Dujarric also said that the Secretary-General urges steps to be taken to allow access to information in the country, including restoring communications.