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Washington and Tehran on Monday both indicated they seek talks to avoid a clash as tensions rise over Iran's deadly crackdown on protests but the bitter arch-foes indicated they were also ready to fight should diplomacy fail.
The Islamic Republic is facing one of the greatest ever challenges to its nearly 50-year rule as nationwide protests which have swelled since starting on Dec. 28 have been met with deadly force.
Eyewitnesses and medics told Iran International the preliminary death tolls since protests began on Dec. 28 had ramped up in recent days to at least 2,000 people.
The two longtime adversaries were already in a diplomatic stalemate even before US President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened attacking Iran should it kill demonstrators.
But both countries signaled openness to diplomacy on Monday.
“I think one thing President Trump is very good at is always keeping all of his options on the table,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday.
“Airstrikes would be of the many, many options that are on the table for the commander-in-chief," she added. "Diplomacy is always the first option for the president. He told all of you last night that what you’re hearing from the Iranian regime is quite differently from the messages the administration has received privately.”
“I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages. However, with that said, the president has shown he’s unafraid to use military options if and when deemed necessary,” Leavitt continued. “Nobody knows that better than Iran.”
US air strikes capped off a surprise Israeli military attack on Iran in June which Trump said had "obliterated" Iran's nuclear sites.
Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has been in touch in recent days with Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, CNN and Axios reported on Monday citing sources familiar with the matter, but it remained unclear what progress the contacts achieved.
But the US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told Sky News on Monday that bringing about regime change in Iran was not Washington's aim.
"I don't think it's something that the United States is actively engaged in trying to hasten anything," he was quoted as saying. "It's a matter of respect," he added, "and this is what President Trump has framed it (as); he wants there to be recognition that the government of Iran should not murder its own people."
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has long rejected US demands that it end domestic uranium enrichment and rein in its missile program and support for armed allies in the region, saying it amounts to an attack on Iran's sovereignty.
But foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday appeared to signal the possibility of a diplomatic off-ramp to the quarrel.
“The Islamic Republic is not seeking war, but it is fully prepared for war," he said. “The Islamic Republic is also ready for negotiations, but these talks must be fair, based on equal rights and founded on mutual respect.”
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Donald Trump "is no chump" and will not permit the ongoing slaughter of protesters in Iran to continue.
"He would just rather never have to deploy it. This president is not a chump. He is not going to watch people slaughtered. He will intervene when it's necessary and he will deal with those who do horrific things,” Mike Huckabee told Sky News on Monday.
"The people are protesting because they can't feed their families. They're protesting because there's not enough water. Inflation is so high that what was once enough to purchase a car can barely buy a loaf of bread,” he added.
The US Virtual Embassy Iran issued a security alert on Monday, calling on US citizens to leave the country immediately amid escalating nationwide protests.
“US citizens are strongly advised to leave the country immediately using their own arrangements, without relying on US government assistance,” the post said.
“Land borders remain open to Armenia at Agarak/Norduz and to Turkey at Gürbulak/Bazargan, Kapıköy/Razi and Esendere/Serow. Turkmenistan’s borders are open but require prior special authorization. Entry to Azerbaijan is restricted, and travel to Afghanistan, Iraq or the Pakistan-Iran border should be avoided entirely,” the post added.
Human Rights Watch Executive Director Philippe Bolopion warned on Monday of an emergency in Iran, saying authorities have imposed a near-total internet blackout to conceal “very concerning reports of large-scale killings by security forces of protesters.”
“We are also extremely worried for people detained in the last week, who are being accused by the authorities of being enemies of God, which in Iran carries the death penalty,” Bolopion posted on X.
“We think it’s really an emergency situation, and we call on the UN Security Council and the Human Rights Council to urgently discuss the situation and send a very strong message to the leadership in Iran that they will be held accountable,” he added.
US Senator Lindsey Graham commended President Trump’s 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Iran, calling them impressive and urging targeted military strikes against the Islamic Republic.
“Mr. President: your decisive leadership in isolating this regime economically through your actions today is most impressive. Your promise to have the protesters’ back and put the regime on notice that you will not tolerate the killing has led to the largest outpouring of demonstrators against this fanatical regime since its founding,” Republican Senator from South Carolina posted on X.
“Mr. President: I believe the Iranian regime has crossed red lines. They are killing their people in large numbers and mocking your leadership. It is now time to take decisive military action—no boots on the ground—going after those who do the killing,” Graham added. “Make Iran Great Again.”
