Iran has signalled it is ready for war while remaining open to negotiations with the United States, following escalating anti-government protests that have left hundreds dead. Officials in Tehran have been in contact with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, a source said, as President Donald Trump weighs possible military action.
The unrest has entered its third week, with a US-based rights group reporting more than 500 people killed and nearly 10,700 arrested. Iranian authorities have maintained a communications blackout for the past four days.
Pro-government rallies were held across Iran today, according to state media, with leaders labelling the demonstrations as foreign-backed. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused US politicians of “deception,” while President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed unrest on foreign-linked “terrorists” who targeted bazaars, mosques, and cultural sites.
The protests have also sparked incidents abroad. In Los Angeles, police detained a person who drove a truck into a crowd of anti-Iranian government protesters.
Iraq-based militia Kataib Hezbollah issued a warning to the US, cautioning that conflict with Iran would be “a fire that, if ignited, will not be extinguished.” The group urged fighters to support Iran, framing the defence of the country as defending Muslim sanctities, and advised Iraqis and allied groups to ignore “the voices of traitors and alarmists.”
Tensions escalated further in London over the weekend when a protester tore down the Iranian flag outside the Iranian embassy and displayed the pre-revolution flag. Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi threatened to evacuate embassy staff if the UK failed to guarantee their safety. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed she had spoken with Araghchi, condemning the violence in Iran and urging the government to protect British nationals and uphold fundamental rights.
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