Trump Weighs Strikes Against Iran While Exploring Diplomatic Options

President Trump is exploring diplomatic outreach to Iran even as he considers military strikes intended to deter Iranian leaders from killing more protesters, U.S. officials said on Monday. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said airstrikes were “one of the many, many options that are on the table,” while adding that “diplomacy is always the first option for the president.” Mr.

Trump told reporters he believed Iran had crossed a red line after saying he would come to the aid of protesters if the government used lethal force: “There seems to be some people killed who weren’t supposed to be killed.” On Monday he also threatened via social media to impose a 25 percent tariff on “any and all business” done with the United States by countries that trade with Iran, though it was unclear how or whether that would be enacted.

Iranian officials in Tehran appeared to temper recent anti‑American rhetoric and said they were ready to talk again. Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister, said, “We are not looking for war, but we are prepared for war — even more prepared than the previous war,” and added, “We are also ready for negotiations, but negotiations that are fair, with equal rights and mutual respect.” A foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, said that channels were open between Mr.

Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, a U.S. envoy, and that “Iran has never left the negotiating table.” It was not clear on what topics Iran would be willing to negotiate.

Key Topics

Politics, Donald Trump, Iran, Iranian Protests, Abbas Araghchi, Steve Witkoff