STORY: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday (January 11) he is weighing a range of responses to escalating unrest in Iran, including possible military options, as massive protests continue to roil the country.

Trump also said he plans to speak with billionaire Elon Musk about restoring internet in Iran, where authorities have blacked out services for four days amid ongoing anti-government protests.

The flow of information from Iran has been hampered by an internet blackout since Thursday amid the most expansive protests against the country's clerical establishment since 2022.

Iran's current protests began on December 28 in response to soaring prices, before turning against the clerical rulers who have governed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Hundreds of people have been killed since then, rights groups estimate. U.S.-based organization HRANA said it has verified the deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel, with more than 10,600 people arrested in two weeks of unrest. Iran has not given an official toll and Reuters was unable to independently verify the tolls.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON BOARD AIR FORCE ONE

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: IN AIR (JANUARY 11, 2026) (U.S. NETWORK POOL - No use USA)

1. U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WALKING IN FOR PRESS GAGGLE ON BOARD AIR FORCE ONE

2.(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

"There seem to be some people killed that aren't supposed to be killed. These are violent... if you call them leaders, I don't know if they're leaders, it's just they rule through violence, but we're looking at it very seriously. The military's looking at it and we're looking at some very strong options. We'll make a determination."

3. WHITE FLASH

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING IN RESPONSE TO WHETHER HE WILL SEND STARLINK SATELLITES TO IRAN:

"We're going to be talking about that. We may get the Internet going, if that's possible. We may speak to Elon. Because as you know he's very good at that kind of thing. He's got a very good company. So we may speak to Elon Musk, and in fact I'm going to call him as soon as I'm finished with you."

5. WHITE FLASH

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING IN RESPONSE TO WHETHER IRAN IS TAKING THIS THREAT SERIOUSLY:

"I think so. Don't you think so, CNN? Don't you think so? Wouldn't you say that they probably do at this point after going through it for years with me? Being hit, Soleimani, al-Baghdadi, the Iran nuclear threat wiped out - don't you think? And then you just had Venezuela. Don't you think? She says, CNN, (TRUMP IMPERSONATING REPORTER): "You think they take your threat seriously?" Wouldn't you say they do after all of the things we've done? What a stupid question."

7. WHITE FLASH

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING

"But I don't think they're trying to play. I think they just want peace. They want to have freedom. The protesters are after freedom. Iran has not allowed freedom for a long time. And the protesters, I don't think they're trying to appease me. They're trying to get somebody to help them. They're under siege. And now it looks like they're being shot, which is a very bad thing."

9. WHITE FLASH

10. TRUMP THANKING HIMSELF AND WALKING OFF