All Options on the Table, US Tells UN as Iran Warns of Response to Any Attack

The United States warned Iran at an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council that “all options are on the table” to halt what Washington described as a brutal and deadly crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests, even as Tehran vowed a decisive response to any act of aggression.

Speaking at the Security Council, US Ambassador Mike Waltz said Donald Trump had made it clear that the United States would not remain a passive observer as violence escalates inside Iran.

“The people of Iran are demanding their freedom like never before in the Islamic Republic’s brutal history,” Waltz told the council. “President Donald J. Trump and the United States of America stand by the brave people of Iran.”

He added that Trump’s warnings were not rhetorical. “President Trump is a man of action, not endless talk. He has made it clear that all options are on the table to stop the slaughter, and no one should understand that better than the leadership of the Iranian regime.”

Protests, Executions and US Pressure

The US warning came amid reports from human rights organisations that more than 2,600 people have been killed during weeks of unrest across Iran. The protests, which began over economic distress, have evolved into a broader challenge to the country’s clerical leadership.

Trump has repeatedly warned Tehran of consequences if killings and executions continued. On Thursday, however, he signalled a temporary pause, saying he had been informed that the violence was easing and that there was no immediate plan for mass executions.

The White House later confirmed that Iran had halted plans to carry out 800 executions following direct pressure from Washington, while stressing that military options remained available if the situation deteriorated again.

Iran Pushes Back at UN

Iran responded sharply to the US statements. Deputy UN Ambassador Gholamhossein Darzi accused Washington of spreading misinformation and deliberately steering unrest toward violence.

“Any act of aggression — direct or indirect — will be met with a decisive, proportionate and lawful response,” Darzi told the Security Council. “This is not a threat; it is a statement of legal reality.”

He accused the US of using human rights as a pretext for interference. “Under the hollow claim of concern for the Iranian people, the United States is laying the groundwork for political destabilisation and potential military intervention under a so-called humanitarian narrative,” he said.

Darzi also attempted to counter US criticism by pointing to alleged human rights violations within the United States, arguing that Washington lacked moral authority to lecture others.

Russia Warns Against Escalation

Russia joined Iran in criticising Washington’s approach. Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused the US of convening the meeting to justify interference in Iran’s internal affairs and warned against the use of military force.

Nebenzia cautioned that any strike on Iran risked plunging the Middle East into wider chaos, with consequences extending far beyond the region. He urged UN member states to prevent what he described as a dangerous escalation driven by unilateral actions.

Europe Signals Sanctions

European nations echoed concerns over the situation inside Iran, though they stopped short of endorsing military action. France and United Kingdom warned that additional sanctions were under consideration.

French Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont described the repression as “brutal” and said the international community had a responsibility to denounce the scale of violence against protesters.

High-Stakes Standoff Continues

The emergency UN session highlighted the growing international divide over how to respond to Iran’s internal crisis. While the US continues to apply maximum pressure and insists all options remain open, Iran has drawn a clear red line against any external intervention.

With protests ongoing, diplomacy active behind the scenes, and military threats still looming, the standoff at the United Nations underscored how quickly the crisis could escalate into a broader regional confrontation.