Iran announced on Monday that it continues to maintain contact with Washington as U.S. President Donald Trump considers possible responses to a violent nationwide crackdown on protests—unrest that represents one of the most serious threats to Iran’s clerical leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Speaking on Sunday, Trump said the United States could hold talks with Iranian officials and confirmed he was engaging with opposition figures, while simultaneously escalating pressure on Tehran. He warned that Washington could resort to military measures in response to the deadly suppression of demonstrators. According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 572 people have been killed so far—503 protesters and 69 members of the security forces—while 10,694 individuals have been detained since demonstrations erupted on December 28 and spread nationwide.
Reuters could not independently confirm those figures. Information emerging from Iran has been severely restricted following an internet shutdown imposed on Thursday.
The demonstrations, initially sparked by worsening economic conditions, have since evolved into open calls for the removal of Iran’s entrenched clerical establishment. Iran’s leadership, already weakened regionally, is now facing widespread and increasingly defiant protests.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said conflicting signals from Washington reflected a lack of seriousness but confirmed that diplomatic exchanges were ongoing. He stated that a direct line of communication remains open between Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, with messages exchanged as needed. He added that Switzerland continues to serve as a traditional intermediary.
During a briefing with foreign ambassadors in Tehran, Araqchi emphasized that Iran is prepared to defend itself militarily but remains willing to engage in dialogue. On Monday, ambassadors from Britain, France, Germany, and Italy were summoned to the Foreign Ministry and urged to convey Tehran’s demand that their governments withdraw support for the protests, according to semi-official Tasnim news agency.
Iran views any political or media backing of the demonstrations as unacceptable interference in its internal affairs, Tasnim reported. A French diplomatic source said the ambassadors strongly voiced their concerns during the meeting.
Addressing a rally in Tehran’s Enqelab Square, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Iran was confronting what he described as a four-front conflict: economic pressure, psychological warfare, military threats from the U.S. and Israel, and what he termed terrorism.
Araqchi said that since the protests began, 53 mosques and 180 ambulances had been damaged or set ablaze. Footage verified by Reuters showed masked individuals vandalizing Tehran’s Abuzar Mosque last week, with state media later confirming the building was set on fire on January 9.
Trump, meanwhile, said Iran had reached out to discuss its disputed nuclear program, following a 12-day conflict in June during which the U.S. and Israel struck Iranian nuclear facilities. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said a meeting was being arranged but cautioned that developments on the ground might require action before talks take place.
A U.S. official told Reuters that Trump was scheduled to meet senior advisers on Tuesday to assess policy options. According to The Wall Street Journal, those options include military strikes, cyber operations, expanded sanctions, and digital support for opposition groups. Analysts warn that attacking military sites could be highly dangerous, as some are located near densely populated areas.
Qalibaf warned Washington against misjudgment, saying any attack on Iran would prompt retaliation against Israel and U.S. military assets in the region.
Iran is still recovering from last year’s conflict, which weakened its regional influence, including setbacks suffered by allies such as Hezbollah. Israel also killed several senior Iranian commanders during the June fighting.
Despite the unrest, Araqchi said on Monday that the situation was “fully under control,” noting that the surge in violence over the weekend had subsided. He added that internet access would be gradually restored in coordination with security authorities.
