Tensions between the United States and Iran sharpened at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, where Washington warned that all options remain on the table to stop what it described as a brutal crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests in Iran. The unrest has reportedly left more than 2,600 people dead, according to human rights groups.
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said President Donald Trump would not stand by as violence against protesters continues, stressing that the US stands firmly with the Iranian people. Waltz said Trump had made clear that Washington is prepared to act if the killings persist, though the US president has signalled a temporary pause after being informed that the violence was easing. The White House also confirmed that Iran halted plans for hundreds of executions following pressure from Washington.
Iran strongly rejected the US warnings. Deputy UN Ambassador Gholamhossein Darzi accused the United States of spreading misinformation and deliberately fuelling unrest inside Iran. He warned that any act of aggression, direct or indirect, would be met with a decisive and proportionate response, insisting Tehran’s stance was based on international law rather than threats.
The Security Council debate also exposed wider divisions. Russia criticised the United States for convening the meeting, accusing Washington of interference in Iran’s internal affairs and warning that military action could plunge the region into deeper chaos. European powers, including France and Britain, echoed concern over Iran’s crackdown on protesters and warned that further sanctions could follow, calling the repression brutal and unacceptable.
As diplomatic pressure mounts, the standoff highlights the growing risk of escalation between Washington and Tehran, with the situation inside Iran increasingly at the centre of international scrutiny and geopolitical tension.
