Iran’s foreign minister said Monday that the Islamic Republic is “fully prepared for war” against any outsiders who interfere in the deadly nationwide protests against the regime.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued the warning after President Trump’s latest threat against Tehran over its brutal crackdown on demonstrators, with human rights groups warning that more than 500 people have been killed since the protests began in late December.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is not seeking war but is fully prepared for war,” Araghchi said while addressing ambassadors in Tehran, according to a Guardian translation.
Like other top Iranian officials in recent days, Araghchi boasted that Tehran was well prepared to engage in war and would not be caught off guard like last year, when Israel and the US bombed the country’s nuclear facilities.
While Araghchi urged Tehran’s enemies to avoid any “miscalculations,” he also claimed the regime was still open to diplomacy.
“We are also ready for negotiations, but these negotiations should be fair, with equal rights and based on mutual respect,” he added.
Araghchi’s remarks came after Trump confirmed that his office was in communication with Tehran, telling reporters Sunday that he was open to a negotiation meeting with the Islamic Republic.
Trump, however, warned that the US may take military action before a meeting can happen if Iran continues its brutal attacks on demonstrators protesting their government’s economic failures.
“We may have to act, because of what’s happening, before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up, Iran called — they want to negotiate,” Trump said.
At least 506 protesters have been killed since the protests against the Iranian regime began on Dec. 18, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
While the death toll has yet to be independently verified, the agency’s count would make the current protest the deadliest since an estimated 551 were killed during the demonstrations after Mahsa Amini’s death in 2022.
Full verification remains difficult following nationwide communications blackouts, with Iranians’ phones and internet cut off.
Despite the blackout, state-owned outlets are still able to broadcast pro-regime rallies that were held on Monday, where Araghchi and other officials were seen marching with their supporters.
