White House Spokesperson: Airstrikes Against Islamic Republic Positions on Trump's Options Table

The White House announced that following the bloody crackdown on the largest protests in recent years in Iran by the Islamic Republic government, military action through airstrikes is 'on the table' for President Trump's options, and he is considering military options regarding developments in Iran. Caroline Levitt, the White House spokesperson, said on Monday, January 12: 'One of President Trump's characteristics is that he always keeps all options on the table.' She added: 'Airstrikes are one of the multiple serious options available to the Commander-in-Chief.' Levitt also emphasized that 'diplomacy is always the President's first option' and added: 'The President has shown that if he deems it necessary, he will undoubtedly use military options, and no one knows this reality better than Iran.' On January 11, Donald Trump announced in a conversation with reporters that following the increase in the bloody crackdown on the revolutionary uprising in Iran, he is considering potential military options. He said that Islamic Republic leaders had contacted the United States over the weekend for negotiations, and the possibility of a meeting between American and Iranian officials is under consideration. However, he emphasized that given what has happened in Iran, they must take practical action before negotiations. According to the White House spokesperson, one Iranian official contacted Steve Witkoff, the special envoy of the President of the United States, to coordinate a meeting with Trump administration officials. Levitt added that this Iranian official had a 'completely different tone from the public and official positions of Tehran' in this contact. Levitt also confirmed that Donald Trump discussed helping to restore internet access in Iran - at a time when Islamic Republic officials have disrupted internet communications - with Elon Musk, the billionaire technology entrepreneur and former White House official. Trump, on January 11, in response to a question about using SpaceX's capabilities to help the people of Iran, said: 'He is very capable in this work. He has a very good company. We might talk to Elon Musk; in fact, as soon as I finish this conversation with you, I will call him.' Meanwhile, Sky News, which interviewed Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, reported that Mr. Huckabee emphasized that final decisions regarding any military action against the Islamic Republic of Iran would be made by President Trump and his cabinet members. However, he also noted during the interview that no attack is planned. In the report published on Monday, Huckabee said: 'These are decisions that will be made in Washington by the President and the Secretary of Defense, but right now I am not hearing anything that indicates the U.S. is preparing to engage in military action.' He added: 'The President prefers never to be forced to use military force. This President is not naive. He will not watch the massacre of people. Whenever necessary, he will intervene and deal with those who commit horrific acts.'