Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has declared the nation is “prepared for war” amid fatal protests that have spread across all 31 of Iran’s provinces. “We are not looking for war, but we are prepared for war—even more prepared than the previous war,” Araghchi told foreign ambassadors in Tehran on Monday, seemingly referring to the in June last year. In his televised remarks, Araghchi stressed that Iran is “also ready for negotiations” but any talks must be “fair, with equal rights and mutual respect.”
On the topic of the protests, Araghchi claimed that “the situation is now under total control” and that the unrest had “turned violent and bloody to give an excuse” for Trump to intervene. He offered no evidence to back this assertion.
Araghchi’s comments came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump, during a press gaggle on Air Force One, regarding intervention in Iran as protesters rally against the regime.
“There seemed to be some people killed who aren’t supposed to be killed. These are violent ‘leaders’ who rule through violence. We’re looking at it very seriously, the military’s looking at it. We’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump told reporters.
Though Trump reinforced his earlier statements about potential U.S. intervention if Iran crosses his red line, he also noted the possibility of negotiations.
“The leaders of Iran called. They want to negotiate. I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States,” said Trump, seemingly referencing the in June last year. During the televised address, Araghchi emphasized that Iran is “also ready for negotiations” but any discussions must be “fair, with equal rights and mutual respect.”
Trump stated that a meeting “is being set up” but cautioned that the U.S. might need to “act” before that gathering can take place “because of what’s happening.”
Anxiety continues to grow for Iranians who, alongside facing a regime crackdown, are dealing with an internet blackout imposed by authorities on Thursday. The protests—starting Dec. 28 initially in response to worsening economic conditions—have expanded dramatically, with demonstrators now demanding an end to the authoritarian regime that has governed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
While on-the-ground reports remain somewhat limited, on Friday that more than 200 people had been reported dead after the regime opened fire on protesters. As demonstrations persist, that number has reportedly risen. An informal group of expatriate academics and professionals told TIME on Sunday that their calculations suggest protester deaths could have hit 6,000 by Saturday.
TIME has not been able to independently confirm these figures.
The world remains focused on both Iran and the U.S., given Trump’s earlier vow that the Iranian regime led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would “pay hell” if protesters were killed. However, it’s unclear what form that consequence would take—and how it would affect the United States.
One commentator on geopolitics, maintains that Trump “has no good options” regarding his next steps for Iran. “Washington can help at the margins: targeted sanctions, technology to bypass internet blackouts, diplomatic pressure. What it cannot do is deliver liberation from the sky,” they remarked, arguing that the U.S. has limited capacity to truly aid in Iran’s liberation.
Iran, for the most part, has been clear on its intentions should the U.S. intervene militarily. “All American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets,” Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, over the weekend.
As of Monday morning, “channels of communication with the United States remain open” both directly and via intermediate negotiations, according to Esmaeil Baghaei.
