US President Donald Trump on Friday issued a stark warning to Iran, saying the country must do “two things” to avoid military action: abandon nuclear ambitions and stop killing protesters. “They are killing them by the thousands,” Trump said, adding that a large US naval force is already moving toward the region and it would be preferable not to use it.
Trump’s comments come amid rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and a brutal crackdown on demonstrations that began in late December following the collapse of the Iranian currency. Human rights groups report at least 6,479 deaths, including children, while Tehran claims more than 3,100 people, mainly security personnel or bystanders, have died.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that the country’s armed forces are prepared to respond “immediately and powerfully” to any aggression, but expressed willingness to negotiate with the US “if talks are based on mutual respect and trust.” Araghchi stressed that Iran’s nuclear program is entirely peaceful and its missile defense systems are off-limits in negotiations.
The UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the international focus remains on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and ending the repression of protesters. Turkey has offered to help de-escalate tensions, with President Erdogan emphasizing support for peaceful solutions.
The EU has meanwhile added Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to its terrorist list and imposed new sanctions on Iranian entities and individuals, reflecting growing international pressure.
