Iranian officials said on January 12 that the country is prepared for war but remains open to dialogue with the United States

 Iranian officials said on January 12 that the country is prepared for war but remains open to dialogue with the United States, as President Donald Trump continues to warn of possible US intervention amid a violent crackdown on anti-government protests.

 

Speaking to foreign ambassadors in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran is “not looking for war,” but is ready for it if necessary, according to multiple media reports. His remarks came a day after Trump said he was weighing military options against Iran.

Anti-government protests have entered their third week after soaring prices and the collapse of the Iranian rial triggered mass demonstrations in late December. Human rights groups say the unrest has spread across major cities and dozens of towns nationwide, marking the most significant challenge to Iran’s clerical leadership since 2022.
 

Norway-based group Iran Human Rights said it has confirmed at least 192 protester deaths since the demonstrations began. The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency reported more than 500 deaths across hundreds of locations and said over 10,600 people have been arrested and transferred to prisons. Iranian authorities have not released official casualty figures.

A government-imposed internet blackout that began on January 8 has severely limited communication with people inside the country, complicating efforts to independently verify information