ASIATODAY.ID, TEHRAN — Iran has declared it is more ready for open conflict than during last year’s 12-day war with Israel, signaling rising tensions with the United States and West Jerusalem.
“We do not seek war, but we are prepared for war, and we are even more prepared than during the previous twelve-day conflict,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday, January 13, 2026 at a meeting with foreign diplomats in Tehran.
Araghchi also emphasized Tehran’s willingness to negotiate — but only on terms he described as fair, equal, and based on mutual respect, rejecting any agreements dictated by outside powers.
Riots Fuel Tehran’s Warning
The warning comes amid escalating protests that erupted in late December over the sharp devaluation of the Iranian rial and soaring living costs, which quickly spread across the country.
According to Tehran, “terrorists” among the protesters set fire to dozens of mosques, hospitals, government buildings, and other facilities, killing hundreds of civilians and security personnel in what officials described as “ISIS-like violence.”
Araghchi accused the US and Israel of having a “big hand” in orchestrating the unrest, presenting alleged audio recordings of orders given to armed agents embedded among the protesters to target civilians and security forces.
Trump Threatens Tariffs and Military Action
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Tehran by threatening a blanket 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran, a move seen as part of Washington’s wider campaign to isolate the Islamic Republic.
“Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive,” Trump announced on Truth Social on Monday.
The White House has yet to clarify the timeline or which countries will be affected most. Iran’s key trade partners conducting business with both Tehran and Washington include China, India, Brazil, Pakistan, Turkey, and the UAE.
This new economic threat follows Trump’s earlier statements suggesting that military intervention in Iran is being considered in support of the Iranian people’s struggle for “freedom.”
Rising Tensions in the Region
Tensions have remained high since last summer when the US and Israel jointly bombed key Iranian nuclear sites, alleging Tehran was pursuing a nuclear weapon — a claim Iran has consistently denied, insisting its program is peaceful.
Araghchi accused infiltrators, including Mossad agents reportedly speaking Farsi, of embedding themselves among the protesters to escalate violence and create a pretext for foreign intervention.
With protests intensifying and hundreds killed in recent clashes, Iran’s warning signals a dangerous escalation as Washington doubles down on tariffs and threats of military action, raising fears of a new regional confrontation. (RT)
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