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Iran Signals War Readiness as Protests Rage
Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran is prepared for war with the United States but remains open to diplomacy as deadly nationwide protests continue and international tensions intensify
A placard calling for regime change in Iran photo by @KevinMartinJose from @Unsplash
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi escalated rhetoric with the United States on Monday, saying Tehran is “prepared” for war while also signaling that diplomatic negotiations remain possible, as unrest continues to spread across Iran and tensions with Washington intensify.
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Araghchi’s comments come amid months of mass protests that began in December in Tehran and have since spread nationwide, driven by public anger over economic insecurity and the weakening value of Iran’s national currency, the rial. According to data compiled by the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), demonstrations across 585 locations in Iran have resulted in at least 544 deaths and more than 10,700 arrests as of Sunday. Military.com said it could not independently verify the figures.
Iran’s state news agency Tasnim reported Sunday that at least 109 security personnel have been killed during the protests, which have escalated as citizens challenge the government over economic conditions and governance.
“We do not want war, but we are completely prepared for it even more prepared than before the previous war,” Araghchi said during a televised meeting with foreign diplomats 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 remarks, Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson told Military.com that “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 comments made Sunday by President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One, where he said the U.S. military is examining “strong options” in response to the violence. “We’ll make a determination,” Trump said.
A day earlier, Trump posted on Truth Social that the United States wants to protect Iranian protesters. “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,” he wrote. “The USA stands ready to help‼!”
Trump’s remarks were echoed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said Israel is closely following what he described as mass “demonstrations of freedom” in Iran and supports the protesters. “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 discussed the ongoing protests in Iran on Saturday, according to an Israeli official who spoke with ABC News.
As governments and security agencies monitor the rapidly evolving situation, preparedness and logistics have taken on renewed importance, from military readiness to crisis-response planning. In such environments, officials and responders often rely on durable, all-purpose gear designed for rapid deployment and travel, such as the 5.11 Tactical Duffel Bag Backpack for Travel, a waterproof 56-liter pack built to handle heavy loads and demanding conditions illustrating how readiness extends beyond strategy to the practical tools used on the ground.
Despite the heightened rhetoric, Iranian officials indicated that diplomatic channels remain open. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Monday that a communication channel between Araghchi and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff “remains open,” according to CNN, adding that “whenever necessary, messages are exchanged through that channel.”
Editor’s Note:
This report reflects a rapidly evolving situation in Iran, where escalating internal unrest and sharp rhetoric toward the United States are unfolding alongside continued diplomatic contacts, underscoring the fragile balance between confrontation and dialogue.
