The Foreign Ministry in Beijing on Monday said China opposes the use or threat of use of force in international relations amid signals the United States is considering military action against Iran.

That came after US President Donald Trump said his administration is weighing up "some very strong options" including potential use of force against Iran.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China hopes that the Iranian government and people can overcome the current difficult situation and maintain national stability.

"We always oppose interference in other countries' internal affairs," she told a regular news conference when asked about Trump's comments.

"We call on all parties to do more to contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East," she said.

When asked by reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday if Iran had crossed a red line to trigger a response, Trump said, "They're starting to, it looks like."

"We're looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options. We'll make a determination."

Trump added that he was getting an "hourly" report on the situation in Iran.

He said the leaders of Iran had reached out to him, expressing a desire to negotiate. "The leaders of Iran called. They want to negotiate."

Since late December, Iran has been rocked by a protest movement that has spread to a number of Iranian cities.

The demonstrations were initially sparked by anger over the rising cost of living, the sharp fall in the country's currency and other long-standing economic hardships.

Information has continued to trickle out of Iran despite a days-long internet shutdown, with videos filtering out of capital Tehran and other cities over the past three nights showing large demonstrations.

Human rights groups warn the reported death toll amid the protests is mounting.

Meanwhile, Trump is scheduled to be briefed on Tuesday on options to respond to the unrest in Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing US officials.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, are expected to attend the meeting, said the report, adding that Trump isn't expected to make a final decision at the meeting as the deliberations are at an early stage.

The Trump administration's options could include boosting anti-government sources online, deploying secretive cyber weapons against Iranian military and civilian sites, placing more sanctions on the country and military strikes, as well as the possibility of sending terminals of Starlink, a satellite-based internet service owned by Elon Musk, into Iran, according to the report.

Iran's foreign ministry said on Monday that the situation was under total control and that internet access would be restored soon across the country.

The Pentagon hasn't moved any forces in preparation for potential military strikes, said the report, noting the US will need to put assets in place not only to launch attacks but also protect American forces in the region.

The US recently moved the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford and its strike group from the Mediterranean to Latin America, leaving no carrier in either the Middle East or Europe.

Iran's parliamentary speaker reportedly threatened on Sunday to attack American military bases in the Middle East if the United States acted first. (Xinhua/AFP/Reuters)