The United States sharply warned Iran at the United Nations on Thursday that “all options are on the table,” as Washington accused Tehran of carrying out a brutal crackdown on nationwide protests that activists say has left at least 2,637 people dead. The warning came during an emergency UN Security Council meeting requested by the U.S. amid weeks of rising tension between the two countries.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz told the council that President Donald Trump would not tolerate continued violence by Iranian authorities against protesters. Emphasizing that the U.S. president was “a man of action,” Waltz said Iran’s leadership should clearly understand Washington’s willingness to act to halt what he described as a slaughter. His remarks came even as Trump signaled possible de-escalation, noting that the killings appeared to be slowing.

The meeting featured rare and emotional testimony from Iranian dissidents Masih Alinejad and Ahmad Batebi, who were invited by the U.S. to address the council. Alinejad directly confronted the Iranian representative, recounting multiple alleged assassination attempts against her in the United States. Batebi detailed the severe torture he said he endured in Iranian prisons, urging the international community to hold Tehran accountable for human rights abuses.

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Protests that erupted last month over Iran’s worsening economic conditions and collapsing currency appeared increasingly suppressed by Thursday, though authorities maintained an internet and communications blackout. The U.S. said the threat of retaliation remained, even as it announced new sanctions targeting Iranian officials accused of orchestrating the crackdown. The European Union and the Group of Seven nations also indicated they were considering additional sanctions.

Iran rejected U.S. accusations and criticized what it called illegal American interference. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held his first call with UN Secretary-General António Guterres since the unrest began, urging the UN to condemn U.S. actions against Iran. The tense Security Council session underscored the deepening diplomatic rift, even as calls grew for international efforts to prevent further violence and instability.

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