Trump Confirms Potential Iran Meeting While Considering Military Options

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the United States may meet with Iranian officials and is in contact with the opposition as it considers strong responses to ongoing protests in Iran, including possible military options. The protests are seen as one of the biggest challenges to Iran’s clerical rule since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

“Iran is ready for war, but also for dialogue,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Monday during a briefing to foreign ambassadors in Tehran. He added that the situation in Iran is “under total control” following a spike in violence over the weekend.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that communications between Araqchi and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff are ongoing. Additional contacts continue through Switzerland, which serves as a traditional intermediary.

Kamran Bokhari, senior director at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, said Iran may have no choice but to negotiate due to widespread unrest and the country’s worsening economic situation. He noted that while Iranian officials’ public statements may appear firm, “back channels don’t go silent.”

Trump has warned Iran that the U.S. could take action if security forces open fire on protesters. According to U.S.-based rights group HRANA, at least 490 protesters and 48 security personnel have been killed, with over 10,600 people arrested. Iran has not released official figures, and Reuters has been unable to verify the numbers independently due to an ongoing internet blackout.

Despite the scale of the protests, there are no signs of divisions within Iran’s Shia clerical leadership, military, or security forces. Protesters remain fragmented and without a clear central leadership. Regime officials have encouraged counter-protests.

Trump also confirmed that Iran has reached out to negotiate its nuclear program. “Iran wants to negotiate, yes. We might meet with them. A meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what is happening before the meeting,” Trump said.