Diplomatic Outreach on Iran Protests

In Washington, President Trump is currently “examining” potential diplomatic engagement with Iranian envoy Steve Witkoff before making a decision on whether to support ongoing anti-government protests or take military action against Iran, as stated by White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt on Monday.

Trump indicated a willingness to intervene to protect demonstrators, remarking that “Iran called for negotiations yesterday.” He noted that while “a meeting has been set up,” there could be a need to act before that meeting takes place. Reports from activists indicate that at least 544 individuals have lost their lives amid the protests in Iran.

Leavitt mentioned that Witkoff received communications that diverged from the usual public stance of Iranian officials. She explained that there were messages from Iranian government representatives to Witkoff that reflected a tone quite distinct from their public defiance.

Publicly, Iranian officials have maintained a tough exterior. For instance, Foreign Minister Abbas Aragushi declared that the country is “completely ready” for war, while Parliament Speaker Baqer Qalibaf warned of potential consequences for Trump.

According to Leavitt, “What President Trump is very good at is keeping all his options on the table,” and military action remains one of those options. She reaffirmed that while the president prioritizes diplomacy, the private messages from Iran contrast sharply with their public declarations. “I think the president is interested in exploring those messages,” she remarked.

Leavitt also referenced a past U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities, suggesting that Trump is willing to consider military action if deemed necessary. “He certainly doesn’t want to see people killed on the streets of Tehran, and unfortunately, that’s what we’re witnessing now,” she acknowledged.