{"id":2533572,"date":"2026-01-12T11:59:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T16:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iran-prepared-for-war-but-hoping-for-negotiations-with-us\/"},"modified":"2026-01-12T12:01:50","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T17:01:50","slug":"iran-prepared-for-war-but-hoping-for-negotiations-with-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iran-prepared-for-war-but-hoping-for-negotiations-with-us\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran\u00a0&#8216;prepared for war&#8217;\u00a0but hoping for negotiations with US"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Firan-prepared-for-war-but-hoping-for-negotiations-with-us%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2533572&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Iranian officials say they are prepared for war with the United States while still hoping for fair, mutual negotiations. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told ambassadors Tehran is &#8220;not looking for war&#8221; but is ready &#8220;even more prepared than the previous war,&#8221; and a ministry spokesman added Iran will not accept one-sided talks. Contacts reportedly remain open between Araghchi and U.S. special envoy Steve witkoff.  <\/p>\n<p>The remarks come amid a surge of nationwide protests that began Dec. 28, 2025 &#8211; the deadliest and fastest-escalating unrest as 1979 &#8211; driven by economic collapse, soaring inflation (over 42% in December), a halved rial, sanctions, corruption, and water shortages.Human Rights Activists news Agency cited 503 protester deaths in two weeks (believed to be an undercount); Iranian media confirmed more than 100 security-force deaths and authorities have arrested over 10,000 people.Tehran has imposed internet blackouts and disrupted Starlink to curb coverage, while videos show security forces using live ammunition.  <\/p>\n<p>U.S. President Donald Trump warned he might intervene to protect protesters, prompting Iranian threats of retaliation. The unrest has also revived support for exiled claimant Reza Pahlavi, with chants calling for his return, even as the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >regime mobilizes pro-government demonstrators<\/a>. President Masoud Pezeshkian joined pro-regime rallies, promising reforms while vowing tough action against what officials label &#8220;terrorists&#8221; and &#8220;rioters.&#8221;  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Iran&nbsp;&lsquo;prepared for war&rsquo;&nbsp;but hoping for negotiations with US<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2468717\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\/\">Iranian<\/a> officials stressed their preparedness for war with the United States while expressing hope that negotiations could prevail.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are not looking for war, but we are prepared for war &mdash; even more prepared than the previous war,&rdquo; Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi told a gathering of ambassadors in Tehran, referring to the 12-day war with Israel, which saw most of its top scientists and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders assassinated and its military and nuclear infrastructure degraded.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/energy-and-environment\/4414363\/trump-likely-bar-exxon-venezuela-oil-investment\/\">Trump likely to bar Exxon from Venezuela oil investment: &#8216;They&#8217;re playing too cute&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4414317\/rubio-and-mexico-discuss-stronger-cooperation-against-cartels\/\">Rubio and Mexico&#8217;s foreign secretary discuss &#8216;stronger cooperation&#8217; against cartels<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4414246\/cuba-rejects-trump-deal-demand-keep-venezuelan-oil-flowing\/\">Cuba rejects Trump demand for deal in order to keep Venezuelan oil flowing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;We are also ready for negotiations, but negotiations that are fair, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/world-economic-forum-suspends-invitation-to-president-trump-from-future-conferences-opens-this-years-globalist-fest-with-chinese-leader-xi-jinping\/\" title=\"World Economic Forum Suspends Invitation to President ... from Future Conferences \u2013 Opens This Year\u2019s Globalist Fest with Chinese Leader Xi Jinping\">equal rights<\/a> and mutual respect,&rdquo; Araghchi added.<\/p>\n<p>Attention has shifted to U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations after two weeks of increased tensions, triggered by some of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran-protests\/\">largest and most violent protests<\/a> against Tehran since the 1979 revolution. President Donald Trump&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/115872214156165257\">threats<\/a> to intervene to protect Iranian protesters have ratcheted up tensions, with Iranian officials threatening retaliation if any intervention is carried out.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">People hold up photos of Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran&rsquo;s toppled Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, during a small demonstration in Istanbul, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government. (AP Photo\/Emrah Gurel)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Esmail Baghaei, an Iranian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman, echoed this sentiment on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Iran has never left the negotiating table, but it will not engage in one-sided negotiations,&rdquo; he said at a news conference.<\/p>\n<p>Tehran further indicated on Monday that communications channels are still open between Araghchi and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Two sources familiar with the situation <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2026\/01\/12\/iran-protests-witkoff-araghchi-call-trump-threats\">told<\/a> <em>Axios<\/em> that the pair spoke over the weekend and discussed the protests.<\/p>\n<p>The nationwide protests, which began on Dec. 28, 2025, have become the fastest-escalating and deadliest protest wave since the 1979 revolution. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency put the death toll at 503 protesters over just two weeks, though the true total is believed to be much higher. Iranian state media confirmed that over 100 security forces have been killed.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4411069\/iran-reportedly-cuts-internet-as-anti-government-protests-swell\/\">IRAN HARDENS RESOLVE AS TRUMP THREATENS ACTION OVER PROTESTS: WHAT TO KNOW<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Tehran instituted an internet blackout and suppressed Starlink terminals to cover up its crackdown, but videos have trickled out showing security forces shooting protesters and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Faytuks\/status\/2010505472529285392?s=20\">hundreds of corpses<\/a> lying out in hospitals and morgues. The true death toll is believed to be in the thousands, with security forces using automatic weapons with live ammunition against protesters. Over 10,000 citizens have been confirmed arrested.<\/p>\n<p>Trump said Tehran was &ldquo;starting to cross&rdquo; his red line, arguing, &ldquo;There seems to be some people killed that aren&rsquo;t supposed to be killed.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are looking at it very seriously, the military is looking at it, and we&rsquo;re looking at some very strong options,&rdquo; he&nbsp;said on Air Force One&nbsp;on Sunday. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m getting an hourly report, and we&rsquo;re going to make a determination.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The protests began in response to an economic collapse, with the Iranian Rial losing a huge amount of its value. The rial has lost over half its value against the U.S. dollar over the past year, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/01\/05\/world\/europe\/iran-protests-payments.html?campaign_id=346&amp;emc=edit_wor_20260106&amp;instance_id=168860&amp;nl=the-world&amp;regi_id=251287128&amp;segment_id=213173&amp;user_id=cacf4b228705dfb5d9ecd5ab354cf678\">according to<\/a><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">&nbsp;the&nbsp;<em>New York Times<\/em>, and inflation reached<\/span> over 42% in December 2025. Conditions were further exacerbated by recent military defeats, crippling sanctions, corruption, and an unprecedented water crisis.<\/p>\n<p>In a move <span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">that exemplified the regime&rsquo;s poor position, the government&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4407985\/iran-rolls-out-7-dollar-payments-to-quell-affordability-protests\/\">announced<\/a>&nbsp;it would give<\/span> the citizenry the equivalent of $7 per month to improve their conditions.<\/p>\n<p>The $7 monthly subsidy will cover 100 eggs, a kilogram of red meat, or a few kilograms of rice or chicken at current prices in Iran, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/01\/05\/world\/europe\/iran-protests-payments.html?campaign_id=346&amp;emc=edit_wor_20260106&amp;instance_id=168860&amp;nl=the-world&amp;regi_id=251287128&amp;segment_id=213173&amp;user_id=cacf4b228705dfb5d9ecd5ab354cf678\">according to<\/a> the outlet. Iranians&rsquo; minimum needs cost roughly $200 a month.<\/p>\n<p>One of the major differences in this round of protests has been the role of Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last shah of Iran and the current claimant to the throne. Although he has supported previous protests, this has been the first time that widespread chants calling for his return have been recorded. He has coordinated some protests from the U.S.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the recorded chants invoking him include, &ldquo;This is not the last battle, Pahlavi is returning,&rdquo; &ldquo;Iran has become ready, give the command, Prince,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Long live the Shah!&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4410841\/iranian-official-threatens-preemptive-strike-after-trump-vows-to-defend-protesters\/\">IRANIAN OFFICIAL THREATENS PREEMPTIVE STRIKE AFTER TRUMP VOWS TO DEFEND PROTESTERS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>However, the toppling of the Islamic Republic is far from guaranteed. Aside from its lethal crackdown, Tehran has also utilized its base of support, calling out tens of thousands of protesters in favor of the regime. The anti-government protesters have been denounced as terrorists supported by Israel and the U.S.<\/p>\n<p>Pro-government protesters were joined on Monday by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who marched with them in Tehran. He has sought a carrot-and-stick approach, posing as a united front with the government while expressing sympathy with the citizens&rsquo; economic plight and promising reforms. He said the government is &ldquo;ready to listen&rdquo; to protesters while pledging a harsh response against &ldquo;terrorist elements&rdquo; and &ldquo;rioters.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Iran ready for war but seeks fair talks with US<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2533573,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26011470879752_74bcde.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[3817,3823,40326,54349],"class_list":["post-2533572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-diplomacy","tag-iran","tag-military-readiness","tag-us-iran-relations"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26011470879752_74bcde.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2533572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2533572"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2533572\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2533579,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2533572\/revisions\/2533579"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2533573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2533572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2533572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2533572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}