The United States signaled a potential military response to Tehran if Iranian authorities continue using lethal force against protesters, U.S. representatives told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday.
Addressing the emergency session on the nationwide demonstrations in Iran, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz warned that President Donald Trump is prepared to take action. “President Trump is a man of action, not endless talk like we see at the United Nations,” Waltz said. “He has made it clear that all options are on the table to stop the slaughter. And no one should know that better than the leadership of the Iranian regime.”
The remarks came as the violence in Iranian cities appeared to slow, though state-imposed communication blackouts made independent verification difficult. Eyewitnesses in Tehran reported calmer mornings, with streets cleared of debris and bonfires, and gunfire that had previously echoed for nights seemingly fading.
Hossein Darzi, Iran’s deputy ambassador to the UN, sharply criticized the U.S., accusing it of “direct involvement in steering unrest in Iran to violence.” He said Washington was attempting to portray itself as a supporter of human rights while preparing the ground for “political destabilization and military intervention under a so-called ‘humanitarian’ narrative.”
The protests, which erupted in late December over economic hardship and the collapse of Iran’s currency, have left a confirmed 2,677 dead, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Some insiders suggest the actual death toll could be as high as 15,000 over 21 days, marking the deadliest wave of anti-government protests since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
On Thursday, Washington announced a new round of sanctions targeting Iranian officials accused of suppressing the demonstrations. Among those sanctioned is the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security, accused of calling for violence against protesters.
The G7 nations and the European Union also signaled plans to intensify sanctions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc aimed to “push forward that this regime comes to an end and that there is change,” as international pressure mounts on Tehran.
As the UN session highlighted tensions between diplomatic dialogue and potential military escalation, the future of Iran’s protests—and the regime’s response—remains uncertain.
