Iran’s foreign minister said on Monday that Tehran was prepared for war but remained open to negotiations, after US President Donald Trump signalled Washington could consider military action over Iran’s violent crackdown on anti-government protests.
“We are not seeking war, but we are prepared for war – even more prepared than the previous one,” Abbas Araghchi told a conference of foreign ambassadors in Tehran, broadcast on state television. He appeared to be referring to the 12-day war with Israel in June, during which the United States joined strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Araghchi added that Iran was willing to negotiate, but only under conditions of “fairness, equality and mutual respect”.
Iran’s foreign ministry said communication channels remained open between Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy.
“Iran has never left the negotiating table, but it will not engage in one-sided negotiations,” foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told a news conference.
The comments followed Trump’s remarks on Sunday that he was weighing military options in response to Iran’s crackdown on protests that erupted over economic hardship and have since grown into the most serious challenge to the Islamic Republic’s rule in years.
“We’re looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, adding he was receiving hourly briefings.
Trump also said Iranian leaders had contacted him seeking talks, though he did not specify who had reached out or what issues would be discussed. Negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme have stalled in recent months.
Human rights groups reported a sharp rise in fatalities as information began emerging from behind a nationwide communications blackout imposed by Iranian authorities.
The Oslo-based Iran Human Rights group said at least 192 people had been killed, while the Washington-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said it had documented nearly 500 protester deaths and almost 50 security personnel killed.
Iranian authorities have not released official casualty figures.
Trump has repeatedly warned Tehran against killing protesters, saying on Sunday that Iranian leaders appeared to have crossed a red line. “There seems to be some people killed who weren’t supposed to be killed,” he said.
