Iran says 'ready to negotiate', but 'prepared for war' after Trump warns of ‘US action before meeting’ amid unrest

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Earlier US President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the leaders of Iran had called up and that they ‘want to negotiate.’ He, however added that 'we (US) may have to act before a meeting'

People take part in a 'Free Iran' rally in Los Angeles, California, on January 11, 2026. The Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR) said it had confirmed the killing of at least 192 protesters but warned the actual death toll could already amount to several hundreds, or even more. The IHR has an extensive network of sources in the country. The protests, initially sparked by anger over the rising cost of living, have evolved into a movement against the theocratic system in place in Iran since the 1979 revolution. They have already lasted two weeks. (AFP)

Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that the nation is ready for negotiations, based on ‘mutual respect.’ His call for negotiations come amid US President Donald Trump's repeated threats of US 'action' even before a meeting, if force is used on protesters in Iran – where the demonstrations have already crossed the two week mark, leaving over 400 people dead.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is not seeking war but is fully prepared for war,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told a conference of Foreign Ambassadors in Tehran broadcast by state TV. “We are also ready for negotiations but these negotiations should be fair, with equal rights and based on mutual respect.”

Earlier Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the leaders of Iran had called up and that they ‘want to negotiate.’ He, however added that "we (US) may have to act before a meeting".

What is happening in Iran?

Iran has been roiled by protests since 28 December after the Iranian rial collapsed and prices surged, hitting living costs. The demonstrations quickly spread across the country and turned into a call for upheaval of the Ayatollah Khamenei-led government in the Islamic Republic.

Crowds set fire to the streets and chanted “Death to Khamenei,” directly challenging Khamenei – who holds ultimate authority over the nation’s religious and state affairs.

Demonstrations were also held in London in support of the protests in Iran. Videos shared on social media showed one protestor scaling the balcony of the Iranian embassy in central London and removing the national flag and hoisting the pre-Islamic revolution-era lion and sun emblem PM Starmer condemned Iran's violence against protesters.

Death toll crosses 500, over 10000 people detained

Activists say protests have spread to more than 180 cities across Iran, spanning every province, as nationwide anti-regime demonstrations continue to intensify. A US-based rights group tracking the unrest says the death toll has continued to climb.

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TOPSHOT - People take part in a demonstration to support mass rallies denouncing the Islamic republic in Iran in Paris on January 11, 2026. At least 192 protesters have been killed in Iran's biggest movement against the Islamic republic in more than three years, as warnings grew that authorities were committing a "massacre" to quell the demonstrations. The protests, initially sparked by anger over the rising cost of living, have now become a movement against the theocratic system in place in Iran since the 1979 revolution and have already lasted two weeks. (Photo by Kiran RIDLEY / AFP)(AFP)

According to the Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA), the media arm of Human Rights Activists group in Iran, at least 544 people have been killed over the past 15 days of protests, including eight children.

‘Action’ before negotiations? What Trump said?

Although Trump claimed that Iran had contacted for negotiations, and that talks were being discussed, but warned that action could come first. “Iran called, they want to negotiate,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, according to AP.

He said talks were being discussed but warned that action could come first. “The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump said.

Trump said the US could respond if Iranian forces continue to use violence against protesters. Washington is weighing options that include new sanctions and possible military steps.

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