Iran’s foreign minister says the country is ready for war or talks as activists fear a deadly crackdown on protests has killed hundreds.
PARIS: Iran’s foreign minister declared the Islamic republic is prepared for both war and negotiations amid a severe crackdown on nationwide protests.
Abbas Araghchi told foreign ambassadors in Tehran that Iran is not seeking war but is “fully prepared” for it. He stated Iran is also ready for talks that are “fair, with equal rights and based on mutual respect”.
The statement follows repeated threats of military intervention from US President Donald Trump over Iran’s handling of the protests. Trump claimed Iran’s leadership had called him seeking to negotiate, adding “we may have to act before a meeting”.
Protests initially sparked by economic grievances have evolved into a major challenge to Iran’s theocratic system. Authorities have imposed an internet blackout lasting over 84 hours, which activists say aims to conceal the extent of the deadly state response.
Activist group Iran Human Rights confirmed at least 192 protester deaths but warned the actual toll could be much higher. Unverified reports suggest “several hundreds” or even “more than 2,000 people may have been killed”.
The Norway-based NGO estimated more than 2,600 protesters have been arrested. The banned opposition group MEK claimed its sources indicate over 3,000 fatalities.
A video geolocated to a morgue south of Tehran showed dozens of bodies wrapped in black bags. Iranian state media reported dozens of security force members have been killed, with their funerals becoming pro-government rallies.
The government has declared three days of national mourning for victims of what it terms “riots”. State television broadcast images of pro-government rallies beginning in several cities, presenting a picture of calm returning.
Reza Pahlavi, the US-based son of Iran’s ousted shah, urged security forces and government workers to join the protests. “Stand with the people and become allies of the nation, or choose complicity with the murderers of the people,” he said in a social media post.
He also called for protesters to replace flags outside Iranian embassies with Iran’s pre-revolutionary national flag. In London, protesters swapped the Iranian embassy flag for a banner featuring the Persian lion used under the shah, prompting Iran to summon the British ambassador.
