Iran says it is prepared for war but open to negotiations with U.S.

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told a conference of foreign ambassadors in Tehran, broadcast by state television, that the country was prepared for war but also ready to negotiate with the United States. "We are not looking for war, but we are prepared for war — even more prepared than the previous war," Mr.

Araghchi said, a remark that the report said appeared to be referring to the 12-day war with Israel this past June, which the United States joined to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities. "We are also ready for negotiations, but negotiations that are fair, with equal rights and mutual respect," he added.

The government said communication channels were open between Mr. Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, and a foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, said, "Iran has never left the negotiating table, but it will not engage in one-sided negotiations." The signaling from Tehran came after Mr.

Trump, who said he was "looking at some very strong options," hinted that the United States might act to curb Iran’s repression of antigovernment protests. Human rights groups reported a sharp rise in the death toll amid a communications blackout, with the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights group raising its toll to 192 and the Human Rights Activists News Agency saying it had confirmed nearly 500 protesters and almost 50 security personnel killed.

Key Topics

World, Iran, Abbas Araghchi, Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff, Tehran