President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Iran’s leadership has reached out to initiate negotiations following his recent threats of military intervention. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, the President confirmed that meetings are currently being arranged, though he maintained a stern posture regarding the ongoing civil unrest in the Islamic Republic.
NOW – Trump says Iranian leaders called him yesterday and “they want to negotiate… a meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what’s happening, before the meeting.” pic.twitter.com/CF2DC6Pwbg
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) January 12, 2026
Diplomatic Overture Under Pressure
President Trump stated that “the leaders of Iran called” seeking a dialogue as the government in Tehran faces its most significant challenge since 2022. However, the President underscored the volatility of the situation, adding, “we may have to act before a meeting,” referring to his previous warnings to intervene should the Iranian government use lethal force against its citizens.
Near Paralysis in Tehran
Reports from within the Iranian capital describe a city in a state of “near paralysis.” Following three days of mass anti-government demonstrations sparked by soaring food prices—specifically a doubling in the price of meat—commercial activity has ground to a halt.
- Security Lockdown: Most shops are forced to close by 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM as security forces deploy en masse.
- Casualties and Mourning: The Iranian government has declared three days of national mourning for “martyrs,” including security personnel killed in the clashes.
- Information Blackout: An internet shutdown has entered its fourth day, significantly hindering the flow of information and the verification of casualty tolls reported by rights groups.
Starlink and Internet Restoration
In a significant technological development, President Trump indicated plans to consult with Elon Musk regarding the restoration of internet services in Iran. The President praised Musk’s capabilities, specifically noting the potential use of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite service to bypass the government-imposed blackout and reconnect the Iranian populace with the global community.
⚠️ Update: As #Iran wakes up to a new day, metrics show the national internet blackout is past the 84 hour mark.
Years of digital censorship research point to these workarounds:
📻 Shortwave/HAM radio
📶 Cell towers at borders
📡 Starlink terminals
🛰️ Direct-to-Cell satellite pic.twitter.com/1UqMAbLYEV— NetBlocks (@netblocks) January 12, 2026
Escalating Rhetoric and Opposition Voices
The situation has drawn sharp responses from both within and outside Iran:
- Military Threats: Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, labeled U.S. military and shipping assets as “legitimate targets” should the U.S. intervene.
- Opposition Call to Action: Reza Pahlavi, the U.S.-based son of the ousted Shah, has emerged as a figurehead for the movement, urging Iranian security forces to defect and “stand with the people.”
- Diplomatic Tensions: The Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the British ambassador in Tehran after protesters in London replaced the Islamic Republic’s flag with the pre-revolutionary tri-color banner at the Iranian embassy.
Outlook
As President Masoud Pezeshkian calls for a “national resistance march” on Monday to denounce the violence, the international community remains on high alert. The intersection of domestic economic collapse, mass civil disobedience, and the threat of external military involvement marks this as one of the most precarious moments for the Iranian leadership since the 1979 Revolution.
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