Iran

President Donald Trump said he plans to speak with Iran even as the United States dispatches another warship to the Middle East, signaling a dual track of pressure and potential diplomacy amid a volatile regional standoff. “I am planning on it, yeah,” Trump told reporters when asked about possible discussions with Tehran. “We have a lot of very big, very powerful ships sailing to Iran right now and it would be great if we didn’t have to use them.” He did not elaborate on timing, scope or who might lead any U.S. outreach. The…

Trump urges Iran to ‘come to the table’ as U.S. carrier groups move into region; Tehran vows to ‘respond like never before’ U.S. President Donald Trump called on Iran to return to negotiations over its nuclear program, warning that any next U.S. response could be far harsher, as a carrier strike group enters the Middle East amid heightened tensions. “Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal — NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS — one that is good for all parties. Time is running out, it is truly…

Iran signals no talks with U.S. under threat as Trump touts new ‘armada’ toward Gulf Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran has not sought or held contact with Washington’s special envoy in recent days, rejecting fresh talk of backchannel diplomacy as the United States moves additional forces toward the region and President Donald Trump presses for a deal. Abbas Araqchi, speaking to state media on Wednesday, said there had been “no contact” with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and “no request for negotiations” from Tehran. He…

Tehran, Iran — Iranian authorities warned of severe consequences if the United States launches strikes, unveiling a defiant billboard in central Tehran as security forces announced fresh arrests tied to deadly protests and a near-total internet blackout stretched into a third week. Tehran showcased a billboard depicting a wrecked U.S. aircraft carrier and the message, “If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind.” Iran vowed a “comprehensive and regret-inducing response” to any attack and warned of wider insecurity…

A U.S.-based rights group says it has confirmed the deaths of nearly 6,000 people amid a wave of anti-government protests in Iran, as Tehran warned Washington against intervening and a nationwide internet blackout obscured the true toll. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported it had verified 5,848 deaths since demonstrations that began over economic grievances in late December swelled into mass protests against the Islamic Republic, with the largest crowds on Jan. 8. HRANA said the confirmed dead include 209…

TEHRAN — Iran’s top police commander issued a three-day ultimatum to demonstrators on Monday, warning those who joined what authorities call “riots” to surrender or face the full force of the law, as the government simultaneously pledged to tackle the economic pain that helped spark the unrest. National police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan urged young people “deceived” into joining the turmoil to turn themselves in and receive lighter punishment. Officials maintain protests were initially peaceful but descended into chaos stoked by…

Iran protests subside under sweeping crackdown and internet blackout as Reza Pahlavi vows return TEHRAN — Mass protests that erupted across Iran a week ago have largely subsided under a sweeping security crackdown and a nationwide internet blackout, monitors said, even as opposition figure Reza Pahlavi urged fresh demonstrations and declared he would return to the country. The latest unrest began Dec. 28 with a shutdown in Tehran’s historic bazaar amid mounting economic grievances, then swiftly widened into the largest…

U.S. pulls some personnel from Middle East bases as Iran warns of strikes if attacked The United States is withdrawing some personnel from key military bases in the Middle East amid heightened tensions with Iran, a U.S. official said Wednesday, as Tehran warned regional neighbors it would target American facilities if Washington launches strikes. The U.N. Security Council is due to meet on Iran on Thursday at the request of the United States. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the drawdowns are…

U.N. official warns U.S. threats add ‘volatility’ as Iran protests persist; New Zealand shuts Tehran embassy A senior U.N. official warned Thursday that public threats of military action against Iran — including remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump — are intensifying an already combustible crisis as nationwide protests test the Islamic Republic and foreign governments reassess their footprint in the country. “We note with alarm various public statements suggesting possible military strikes on Iran. This external dimension…

A senior United Nations official warned that threats of military action against Iran — including those made by President Donald Trump — risked further inflaming a country already shaken by some of the largest anti-government protests in the Islamic republic’s history. “We note with alarm various public statements suggesting possible military strikes on Iran. This external dimension adds volatility to an already combustible situation,” UN Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee told the UN Security Council. Iran has been…