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Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi upped the ante on Monday, saying that the nation is “prepared” for war with the United States but also open to diplomatic negotiations.
Araghchi’s remarks come as tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to boil as a result of mass protests in the Middle East. The death toll from mass protests in Iran has risen to 544, according to data compiled by HRANA, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, said as of Sunday that the protests in 585 different Iranian locations had resulted in 544 deaths and upwards of 10,700 arrests. Military.com could not independently confirm the numbers.
Iran’s state news agency Tasnim also reported on Sunday that at least 109 security personnel have been killed in protests, which have escalated since they started in December in Tehran as citizens have challenged the government about economic security and a weakening value of its national currency, the rial.
“We do not want war, but we are completely prepared for it—even more prepared than before the previous war,” Araghchi told a group of foreign diplomats in a televised meeting in Tehran, according to CNN. “The reason is clear: the best way to prevent war is to be prepared for war, so that our enemies do not once again fall into miscalculation.”
When asked about the foreign minister’s remarks, Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson told Military.com: “The Department of War stands ready to execute the orders of the Commander-in-Chief at any time and in any place.”
The White House referred Military.com to remarks made Sunday by U.S. President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One, in which he said the U.S. military is looking at “strong options” to quell the violence.
“We’ll make a determination,” Trump said.
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One day earlier, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the U.S. wants to protect the protestors.
“Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,” he said. “The USA stands ready to help!!!”
Trump’s remarks were echoed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said his country was following the mass “demonstrations of freedom” and supports their efforts.
“Israel supports their struggle for freedom and strongly condemns the mass massacres of innocent civilians,” Netanyahu said. “We all hope that the Persian nation will soon be freed from the yoke of tyranny, and when that day comes, Israel and Iran will once again be loyal partners in building a future of prosperity and peace for both peoples.”
Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke about the ongoing protests in Iran on Saturday, according to an Israeli official who spoke with ABC News.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Monday that a communication channel between Araghchi, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff “remains open,” according to CNN, adding that “whenever necessary, messages are exchanged through that channel.”
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The Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson’s comment that the Department of War stands ready to execute the orders of the Commander-in-Chief at any time and in any place, highlights the US’s readiness for potential conflict.
This statement, combined with Araghchi’s remarks, suggests that both countries are preparing for all possible scenarios.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement that Israel supports the struggle for freedom in Iran and strongly condemns the mass massacres of innocent civilians, adds another layer to the already complex situation.
The international community, including the US and Israel, must consider the potential consequences of their actions and statements, as they can either exacerbate or alleviate the situation in Iran.
The death toll from the mass protests in Iran has risen to 544, with upwards of 10,700 arrests, which is a staggering number and highlights the severity of the situation.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the nation is prepared for war with the US, but also open to diplomatic negotiations, which is a significant development given the current tensions between the two countries.
This statement comes as a surprise, considering the mass protests in Iran have resulted in 544 deaths and over 10,700 arrests, according to HRANA.
Araghchi’s remarks that Iran is prepared for war, but also open to diplomatic negotiations, seem to contradict the US President Donald Trump’s statement that the US military is looking at strong options to quell the violence.
It’s possible that both countries are trying to negotiate from a position of strength, but the situation remains volatile.
The US President Donald Trump’s comment that the US wants to protect the protestors and that Iran is looking at freedom perhaps like never before, suggests that the US may be considering intervention.
However, the consequences of such intervention could be far-reaching and potentially devastating.
Araghchi’s statement that the best way to prevent war is to be prepared for war, so that enemies do not once again fall into miscalculation, suggests a cautious approach from Iran’s perspective.
The protests in 585 different Iranian locations, as reported by HRANA, demonstrate the widespread nature of the unrest and the depth of dissatisfaction with the government.
Araghchi’s televised meeting with foreign diplomats in Tehran, where he stated that Iran is prepared for war, but also open to diplomatic negotiations, was a calculated move to convey Iran’s position to the international community.
The situation in Iran is a complex web of political, economic, and social factors, and any potential solution will require a nuanced approach that takes into account the various stakeholders and interests involved.
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the ongoing protests in Iran, as reported by an Israeli official, suggests that the US and Israel are coordinating their responses to the situation.
The fact that the protests in Iran have been ongoing since December, with citizens challenging the government about economic security and the weakening value of the national currency, the rial, indicates a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the government.
The fact that at least 109 security personnel have been killed in the protests, as reported by Iran’s state news agency Tasnim, indicates that the situation is more complex than initially thought.