Washington signals force remains an option
The United States has warned Iran that it is prepared to consider military action if Tehran continues to use lethal force against protesters. The message was delivered during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, where US officials said President Donald Trump remains ready to act if the violence does not stop.
US Ambassador Mike Waltz told the council that Trump is not interested in drawn-out diplomacy and has made clear that “all options are on the table” to halt what Washington describes as the mass killing of civilians. He added that Iranian leaders should not underestimate the seriousness of the warning.
While the threat of retaliation remains, Trump has also hinted at a possible easing of tensions, suggesting the killing may be slowing.
Iran pushes back at the UN
Iran strongly rejected the US accusations during the Security Council session. Deputy Ambassador Hossein Darzi accused Washington of actively fueling unrest and using human rights as a cover for destabilisation and potential military intervention.
Darzi said the US was attempting to portray itself as an ally of the Iranian people while, in reality, laying the groundwork for foreign interference under a so-called humanitarian banner. Tehran has consistently blamed outside actors for driving the protests toward violence.
Protests suppressed amid rising death toll
Demonstrations across Iran appear to be losing momentum as security forces tighten their grip and a nationwide communications blackout remains in place. Videos of protests have largely disappeared, and residents in Tehran report quieter streets, with no signs of overnight fires or debris and a noticeable drop in gunfire.
Despite the apparent slowdown, the human cost has been severe. A US-based rights group says at least 2,677 people have been killed, making this the deadliest wave of protests since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. Sources inside Iran fear the true number could be far higher, possibly reaching 15,000 deaths over the past three weeks.
In response, Washington announced new sanctions targeting Iranian officials accused of directing the crackdown, including a senior national security figure alleged to have been among the first to call for violence. The G7 and the European Union have also signaled they are considering additional sanctions, with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen saying Europe is looking to increase pressure to bring about political change in Tehran.
