Iran protest Live: U.S. officials, Vance urge Trump to try diplomacy before strikes on Iran

Demonstrators burn pictures of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei outside the Iranian embassy during a rally in support of nationwide protests in Iran, in London, on January 12, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters

Some senior aides in President Donald ‌Trump’s administration, led by Vice President J.D. Vance, are urging Trump to try diplomacy before strikes against Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday, ⁠citing U.S. officials. The White House was weighing an offer from Tehran ⁠to engage in talks regarding its nuclear program as Mr. Trump seemed ‌to eye authorizing military ‌action against Iran.

“The death toll from Iran’s nationwide protests has reached at least 646 people killed,” activists said, with the number expected to rise further.

Also Read: Trump says Iran wants to negotiate, death toll reaches at least 646

The toll comes from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate throughout multiple years of demonstrations. It relies on a network of activists inside Iran that confirms all reported fatalities.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday (January 12, 2026) praised pro-government rallies called by authorities in response to two weeks of protests, saying the turnout was a “warning” to the United States. 

(Inputs from agencies)