Amid a deadly crackdown on protesters in Iran, President Trump continues to threaten military action against Tehran and warned countries that do business with Iran that he coudl impose a tariff.
MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:
president Trump continues to threaten military action against Iran and says he is receiving hourly reports on the violence against protesters as Iranian security forces try to quash growing unrest.
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
We do have many casualty estimates out of Iran, one of which comes from the Associated Press, which says at least 2,000 people have been killed in protests. Now, President Trump has continued to comment about the situation on his Truth Social account. This message went to protesters – quote, “help is on its way.” The president also said he has canceled all meetings with Iranian officials. He had referred, in recent days, to such meetings. On Monday, the president also said he’s imposing a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran.
MARTIN: NPR white House correspondent Franco Ordoñez is with us now to bring us up to date. Good morning, franco.
FRANCO ORDOÑEZ, BYLINE: Good morning, Michel.
MARTIN: So what should we take away from President trump’s latest message to Iran?
ORDOÑEZ: Yeah, just this morning the president urged protesters to keep at it, and he said he cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials until the killings stop. Through social media, Trump appears to be continuing to put pressure on the regime and using his negotiating tactics ahead of making a decision on the next steps. Now, of course, Trump frequently enough employs this hot-and-cold approach to negotiations, and nothing is really definitive until it actually is.
MARTIN: How seriously is the U.S. taking threats from Tehran to retaliate against U.S. or Israeli military bases?
ORDOÑEZ: Well, Trump says, if they do, the U.S. will respond.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before.They won’t even believe it. I have options that are so strong.
ORDOÑEZ: And Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary, called Iran’s threats laughable. She said on Fox News yesterday that the Iranians might potentially be talking a big game publicly, but they’re saying something very different privately.
MARTIN: So the president spoke of options. What are those options?
ORDOÑEZ: Yeah, Trump and Leavitt won’t forecast what they’re going to do. but matthew Kroenig worked on the Iranian file at the Pentagon, and he told me the lowest-hanging fruit would be a strike on Iran’s missile program. Another possibility, he said, would be strikes against the security services who are leading the crackdown on demonstrations. And kroenig also pointed to the Venezuela operation.
MATTHEW KROENIG: And then after the Maduro raid, you can’t count out something more creative, some kind of special operations move by the United States or Israel, say, directly against the Iranian leadership.
ORDOÑEZ: Kroenig says it’s not something you’d expect from a U.S. president, but Trump doesn’t seem to be constrained by traditional norms.
MARTIN: Well, you know, to that end, though, the president hasn’t made human rights a priority in his foreign policy, except under very rare circumstances. So tell us a little bit more about what kind of deal or what kind of negotiations the president seems to be pursuing.
ORDOÑEZ: Yeah, he’s definitely not put human rights first and foremost. But we should remember that during the first Trump administration, Trump did order military strikes on Syria in response to chemical attacks by the Assad regime. Trump said he was moved at the time by the images of choking children. That said,what Trump really wants in Iran is a deal that permanently prevents the government from getting a nuclear weapon. And Kroenig, who is now at the Atlantic Council, thinks the Iranian supreme leader may actually be willing to agree to a zero enrichment deal if he thinks it will help the regime survive. The next question, though, will be, of course, does the regime actually follow through with that going forward in the future?
MARTIN: That is White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez. Franco, thank you.
ORDOÑEZ: Thank you, Michel.
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trump Administration Escalates Rhetoric as Iran Protests Continue
January 17, 2026 - As protests continue to rage across Iran following a deadly crackdown on demonstrators, the Trump administration is maintaining a hardline stance, threatening military action and imposing economic pressure on Tehran.The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation and significant geopolitical ramifications.
Escalating Tensions: Threats and Tariffs
President Trump has repeatedly condemned the Iranian government’s response to the protests, which have reportedly resulted in at least 2,000 deaths, according to estimates from the Associated Press . He has publicly offered support to the protesters, stating via his Truth Social account, “help is on its way,” while together canceling planned meetings with Iranian officials. This dual approach – a show of solidarity with the Iranian people coupled with a rejection of diplomatic engagement – reflects a broader strategy of maximum pressure.
Beyond rhetoric, the administration has taken concrete economic action.On Monday, President Trump announced the imposition of a 25% tariff on countries continuing to do business with Iran. This move aims to further isolate the iranian economy and cripple its ability to fund its security apparatus and suppress dissent. The effectiveness of this tariff, though, remains to be seen, as nations may seek option trade routes or continue dealings covertly.
Potential Military Options and U.S. Response to Retaliation
The situation is further complicated by threats of retaliation from Tehran against U.S. and Israeli military bases. President Trump has responded with characteristic firmness,vowing a swift and overwhelming response should Iran take hostile action. “If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before. They won’t even believe it. I have options that are so strong,” he stated in a recent address.
While the White House has remained deliberately vague about the specifics of these “options,” experts suggest a range of possibilities. matthew Kroenig, who previously worked on the Iranian file at the Pentagon, outlined several potential scenarios, including:
- Strikes on Iran’s Missile Program: Targeting Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure would aim to degrade its offensive capabilities.
- Targeted Strikes Against Security Forces: Attacking the entities responsible for the crackdown on protesters could signal U.S. support for the iranian people.
- Special Operations: A more unconventional approach could involve covert operations targeting Iranian leadership.
The administration’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, dismissed Iranian threats as “laughable,” suggesting that private communications reveal a different, more conciliatory tone from Tehran. Though, this assessment has not been independently verified.
The Nuclear Question and Potential for Negotiation
Underlying the current crisis is the long-standing issue of Iran’s nuclear program. While President Trump has not prioritized human rights in his foreign policy, his ultimate goal remains preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Kroenig suggests that the Iranian supreme Leader might be open to a “zero enrichment deal” – a complete halt to uranium enrichment – if it ensures the regime’s survival.
However, the critical question remains whether Iran can be trusted to abide by such an agreement in the long term. Past negotiations have been fraught with mistrust and accusations of non-compliance. Any future deal would require robust verification mechanisms and a credible enforcement strategy.
A History of Shifting Approaches
It’s critically important to note that President Trump’s approach to Iran has been characterized by a pattern of escalation and de-escalation. His decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, in 2018, considerably heightened tensions. While he has previously authorized military strikes in response to perceived provocations – as seen in Syria following a chemical weapons attack – his actions have often been unpredictable.
The JCPOA and its Aftermath
The JCPOA, signed in 2015, offered a framework for limiting Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.However, President Trump argued that the deal was flawed and did not adequately address Iran’s ballistic missile program or its regional activities.His withdrawal from the JCPOA led to Iran gradually resuming its enrichment activities and further strained relations with the United States and its allies.
Looking ahead
The situation in Iran remains highly precarious. The combination of widespread protests, a brutal government crackdown, and the threat of military intervention creates a hazardous surroundings. The coming days and weeks will be critical in determining whether the crisis can be de-escalated through diplomacy or whether it will spiral into a wider conflict. The Trump administration’s strategy of maximum pressure, while intended to compel Iran to change its behavior, carries significant risks and could have unintended consequences. The international community will be closely watching to see how this situation unfolds and whether a peaceful resolution can be found.
