Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned the United States that Tehran is prepared for war if Washington seeks to “test” it, following threats by US President Donald Trump to take action in response to Iran’s crackdown on antigovernment protests.
In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera Arabic on Monday, Araghchi said channels of communication with the US remain open despite ongoing unrest but stressed that Iran is “prepared for all options,” highlighting the country’s “large and extensive military preparedness” compared to last year’s 12-day conflict.
His remarks come after Trump indicated on Sunday that he was considering “strong options,” including potential military action, over Iran’s response to nationwide protests sparked by economic hardship and broader demands for systemic change. The US president said a meeting with Tehran on its nuclear programme was being arranged but added that “we may have to act because of what is happening before the meeting.”
“If Washington wants to test the military option it has tested before, we are ready for it,” Araghchi said, adding that he hoped the US would choose the “wise option” of dialogue. He also cautioned against “those trying to drag Washington into war in order to serve Israel’s interests.”
Araghchi addressed the rising death toll, asserting that “terrorist elements” had infiltrated protests, targeting both security forces and demonstrators. State media reports indicate more than 100 security personnel have been killed, while opposition activists claim hundreds of protesters have also died, though these figures could not be independently verified.
The foreign minister confirmed that communications with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff have “continued before and after the protests and are still ongoing,” while noting that “Washington’s proposed ideas and threats against our country are incompatible.” He emphasized that Iran is ready to negotiate on its nuclear programme only under conditions “without threats or dictates,” and said Tehran would seriously consider discussions once the US is prepared for “fair and just negotiations.”
Separately, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that the US military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if Washington intervened, describing any attack as a potential miscalculation. A White House spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, said Iran has sent “quite different” private messages to the US compared with its public statements.
The unrest in Iran has been compounded by an internet blackout since Thursday, which authorities have said will be resumed in coordination with security services. Human rights groups report at least 2,500 deaths in the protests.
Araghchi’s warning underscores growing tensions between Washington and Tehran, with both nations navigating a volatile environment of domestic unrest, international scrutiny, and potential military escalation.
