US President Donald Trump has declared he is evaluating "very strong" military options against Iran, as the death toll from the regime's crackdown on nationwide protests reportedly climbs into the hundreds. The president made the comments while suggesting Tehran had expressed a desire to negotiate.
Military Threats and Protest Crackdown
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump stated that Iran appeared to be crossing his previously stated "red line" concerning the killing of protesters. "We're looking at it very seriously," Trump said. "The military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options. We'll make a determination."
The protest movement, which began in late December 2025 in response to a severe economic downturn and a collapsing currency, has evolved into the most significant unrest Iran has witnessed in years. Demonstrators are now calling for sweeping political reforms and the downfall of the government.
According to data from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the violent state response has been devastating. The group reports that at least 538 people have been killed, including 490 protesters, with more than 10,600 arrests made by Iranian authorities.
In response to Trump's threats, Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf warned Washington against miscalculation, stating that Israeli and US interests across the Middle East would become "legitimate targets."
Justice Department Targets Federal Reserve Chair
In a separate and remarkable escalation of his campaign against independent US institutions, Trump's Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The probe focuses on Powell's testimony to Congress in June 2025 regarding renovations to the Fed's headquarters.
The New York Times reported that the US attorney's office is investigating whether Powell lied about the scope of the building project. Powell received grand jury subpoenas on Friday. In a fierce statement, Powell linked the threat of criminal indictment to the Fed's independence, arguing he was targeted because the central bank sets interest rates "based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the president."
Golden Globes Celebrate New Winners
The 83rd Golden Globes ceremony saw two productions dominate the awards. Paul Thomas Anderson's counterculture epic One Battle After Another won four awards, including Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) and Best Director for Anderson. A tearful Teyana Taylor won Best Female Supporting Actor for her role in the film.
The Netflix limited series Adolescence also secured four Globes, continuing its awards season success. Notable snubs included Ryan Coogler's critically acclaimed Sinners and the film adaptation Wicked: For Good.
In other significant news:
- President Trump reiterated his intent for the US to acquire Greenland "one way or the other," dismissing its defences and warning that Russia or China would otherwise claim the territory.
- Oxfam analysis reveals the world's richest 1% exhausted their fair share of the global carbon emissions budget for 2026 within the first ten days of the year.
- The viral "put her in a bikini" trend, using the Grok AI chatbot to generate non-consensual nude images, sparked a major scandal, with thousands of explicit requests made per hour before regulators intervened.
- Mattel launched its first autistic Barbie doll, developed with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, featuring a fidget spinner and noise-cancelling headphones.
