NewzVille International
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran’s leadership had reached out seeking negotiations on the nuclear issue following his warnings of possible military action amid the protests.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Islamic Republic was prepared for both conflict and dialogue.
Speaking at a conference of foreign ambassadors in Tehran, Araghchi said Iran was fully ready to defend itself but remained open to negotiations despite repeated U.S. threats.
Nationwide protests against the Iranian government continues for a third week, posing one of the most serious challenges to the country’s leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The unrest began on 28 December as demonstrations against soaring inflation and economic hardship, but quickly escalated into widespread protests marked by violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces across several cities.
On Sunday, the Iranian government declared three days of national mourning for what it described as “martyrs,” including members of the security forces killed during the protests.
State television broadcast funeral processions in western cities such as Gachsaran and Yasuj for security personnel who died in the unrest.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed shock over reports of violence against protesters and urged Iranian authorities to exercise maximum restraint.
He also called for an end to unnecessary or disproportionate use of force and urged steps to restore access to information, including communications services.
