U.S. President Donald Trump expressed openness to engaging with Iranian officials and mentioned ongoing communication with opposition figures as he considered various responses, including potential military actions, in reaction to the recent violent suppression of protests in Iran. The unrest represents a significant challenge to the clerical regime since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
“Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi emphasized on Monday during a briefing to foreign ambassadors in Tehran that the country is prepared for both conflict and dialogue,” stated Araqchi through an English interpreter. He also asserted that the situation in Iran is currently “fully under control” following a surge in violence related to the protests.
According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, channels of communication between Araqchi and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff are still open, along with traditional intermediary Switzerland maintaining contact. President Trump cautioned Iranian leaders, warning of potential U.S. military action if security forces resort to violence against demonstrators.
A human rights group in the U.S., HRANA, confirmed the deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel, with over 10,600 individuals reportedly detained. While Iran has not disclosed an official casualty count, independent verification of these figures by Reuters has been hindered by an internet blackout in the country since Thursday.
Despite the substantial scale of the protests, there are no apparent divisions within the Shia clerical leadership, military, or security forces, with demonstrators lacking a unified leadership. The opposition remains fragmented.
President Trump mentioned that Iran has expressed interest in negotiations concerning its nuclear program, which was previously targeted in a military campaign by Israel and the U.S. last June. Reacting to recent events, Iranian authorities accused the U.S. and Israel of instigating unrest and called for nationwide demonstrations.
Trump planned to confer with senior advisors to explore options regarding Iran on Tuesday, as reported by a U.S. official. Potential strategies outlined by The Wall Street Journal include military strikes, cyber warfare, expanded sanctions, and support for anti-government factions online.
Despite discussions of military action, the potential risks of attacking Iranian military sites, some of which are situated in densely populated areas, raise concerns about civilian casualties. Several senators, including Republican Rand Paul and Democrat Mark Warner, cautioned against hasty military intervention in Iran during public statements.
In response to perceived threats, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament, cautioned against any miscalculations by Washington, warning of potential retaliatory actions targeting Israeli territories, U.S. bases, and ships if Iran is attacked. However, Iran’s regional influence has been weakened following past conflicts and attacks on its allies.
The demonstrations, which initially erupted due to economic grievances, have evolved into broader discontent against Iran’s ruling clerics. Frustrations among Iranians have grown towards the Revolutionary Guards, a powerful entity with significant business interests across various sectors.
Efforts to restore internet access in Iran have been proposed, with President Trump mentioning discussions with Elon Musk regarding utilizing the Starlink satellite service for this purpose. Iranian officials indicated plans to coordinate the resumption of internet services with security considerations.
Additionally, ambassadors from the UK, Italy, Germany, and France in Tehran were summoned to Iran’s foreign ministry and requested to convey Tehran’s demand for their governments to withdraw support for the protesters.
