Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran is prepared for a military confrontation with the United States, following remarks by US President Donald Trump, who indicated he was considering military action amid deadly protests in Iran.
Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic on Monday, Araghchi stated that Iran is ready for any option Washington may choose, including the use of force.
“If Washington wants to test the military option — which it has tested before — we are ready for it,” Araghchi said, referring to US airstrikes carried out last summer on three Iranian nuclear sites under the Trump administration.
Trump told reporters late Sunday that military action was among the options being considered in response to the situation in Iran, further heightening tensions between the two countries.
Mass demonstrations erupted across Iran at the end of December 2025, initially driven by deep economic frustrations — including soaring inflation, rising food prices, and the collapsing value of the rial. What began as localized protests quickly spread nationwide and morphed into broader anti-government demands, representing one of the most significant internal challenges to Iran’s clerical leadership since 2022.
Authorities also imposed a near-total internet and communications blackout across the country starting in early January, making independent reporting and casualty verification extremely difficult.
Casualty reports vary widely because of limited access and conflicting figures, but multiple credible sources and rights groups indicate:
Hundreds to thousands killed — human rights organizations estimate at least 500–650 deaths, while some analyses suggest several thousand or more casualties overall.
Arrests have surpassed 10,600, with tens of thousands reportedly detained nationwide.
The UN human rights office has condemned the “horrific violence” used against protesters.
Iran is holding pro-government rallies aimed at countering the protest movement, with hardline figures warning foreign powers against interference.
Protesters have defied the blackout and heavy security crackdowns, continuing to take to the streets in major cities and calling for political and economic change.
Image: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Trump of having the blood of Iranians on his hands [File: AFP]
