Al Jazeera: US military plans against Iran in advanced stages

US military preparations for potential operations against Iran have reached “advanced stages,” an anonymous US official told Qatar-based Al Jazeera on January 12, amid escalating tensions and ongoing unrest inside the Islamic Republic.

According to the official, military options are “being tailored to circumstances and developments,” stressing that US forces in the Middle East are prepared for a range of scenarios. “Our forces in the Middle East are ready for any contingency, any mission, and to defend themselves and our interests,” the source said.

The remarks come as diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran appear to be intensifying. Over the weekend, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with US Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss the widespread protests gripping Iran, according to two sources cited earlier by Axios. The report claimed that Araghchi initiated the outreach.

These developments follow repeated statements by US President Donald Trump, who has warned that Washington could intervene in the situation in Iran and has not ruled out the use of military force.

At the same time, Trump said on January 12 that Tehran has asked to resume negotiations over a new nuclear agreement. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, the president said Iran is seeking talks with Washington.

“I think they’re tired of being beaten up by the United States,” Trump said. “Iran wants to negotiate.”

He added that the US administration is coordinating a potential meeting with Iranian representatives, suggesting that action could be required even before formal talks take place. “We may need to act before a meeting with them… we are in the process of coordinating a meeting,” Trump said.

Meanwhile, protests across Iran have entered their third consecutive week. According to data released on January 11 by the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 544 people have been killed during 15 days of unrest.

HRANA reported that the death toll includes 483 protesters, 47 members of the military or law enforcement, one government-affiliated non-civilian, and five non-protesting civilians. The organisation also recorded the deaths of five individuals under the age of 18, which it did not include in the official total of 544.

In addition, HRANA said it has received reports of 579 other deaths that remain under investigation. The group also documented more than 10,680 arrests nationwide since the protests began.

By Vugar Khalilov