TEHRAN/WASHINGTON – Iran has formally rejected holding any negotiations with the United States while facing military threats, heightening tensions as a US naval strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln deploys to Middle Eastern waters.
The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated on Wednesday that “conducting diplomacy through military threat cannot be effective,” directly responding to US President Donald Trump’s refusal to rule out military intervention over Iran’s violent crackdown on anti-government protests.
According to updated figures from the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 6,221 people have been confirmed killed in the protests that began in late December, with the vast majority being protesters. The group is investigating over 17,000 additional possible fatalities, and at least 42,000 people have been arrested.
Amid the crisis, Iran is engaging in a diplomatic push with key Arab states. Following a call between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Iranian officials held talks with counterparts from Qatar and Egypt, emphasizing “efforts aimed at reducing escalation.”
The situation remains volatile, with Iran also executing a man on Wednesday on charges of spying for Israel’s Mossad. Analysts suggest US military options range from targeted strikes to a full-scale effort to overthrow the ruling clerical system.
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Disclaimer: This report is based on international news agency reports and official statements. The casualty figures from Iran are provided by a human rights group and are difficult to independently verify due to an internet shutdown in the country.
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