Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared on Monday morning that the protests that have rocked the country since December 28 have been "brought under full control," while the disruption of communications and the internet continues across the country.

In statements broadcast by Al Jazeera, which has managed to continue reporting despite the internet blockade, Araghchi said Tehran is prepared for any scenario. "We are ready for war, but also for dialogue," he said.

The Iranian Foreign Minister directly accused Donald Trump and Israel of escalating violence over the past two weeks.
“According to him, the protests became violent and bloody to give the American president an excuse to interfere in Iran's internal affairs,” Araghchi argued. He added that the violence peaked last weekend, leaving behind a heavy death toll.

Difficulty in verifying the situation on the ground

With the internet and communication networks almost completely shut down, it is extremely difficult to verify the real situation on the ground. Unofficial reports suggest over 500 protesters have been killed, but these figures cannot be independently confirmed.

Meanwhile, Iranian state television is broadcasting footage from the streets of Tehran, claiming that “calm has returned” to the capital since Sunday evening and that security forces have broken up so-called protest “cells.” The situation in Iran remains tense, while the international community is following with concern the developments and consequences of the clash between authorities and protesters.