Tehran: Iran said Tuesday that it is ‘fully prepared’ for any potential war to protect its national interests, stressing that it prioritizes dialogue to resolve problems. ‘Amid these threats, we hear the drums of war beating in the foreign press,’ government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani told a press conference in Tehran.

According to Anadolu Agency, this is not the first time Iran has faced such threats, having previously endured a multi-stage war. Tensions between Iran and the United States have been rising following anti-government protests in the country. The recent movement of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers into the Middle East has further exacerbated these tensions. The US administration has maintained that all options, including military action, remain on the table to deal with Tehran, as the US and Israel aim to change Iran’s ruling system.

Iranian officials have cautioned that any US attack would provoke a ‘swift and comprehensive’ response. ‘As the president (Masoud Pezeshkian) has stated, we mourn everyone who has lost their lives (in the protests),’ Mohajerani said. She acknowledged the significant loss of more than 3,000 lives and emphasized that the government would not forget the violence against its security forces.

The spokesperson expressed confidence that Iran would overcome the current crisis through engagement with the public. ‘We believe that this crisis must be resolved by engaging in dialogue with the people and acknowledging their legitimate demands,’ she stated. The government has taken a different approach toward the protests by holding meetings with leaders of ‘peaceful’ demonstrations and dismissing university officials who adopted a ‘hardline’ stance against students.

Mohajerani noted that investigations into the protests and acts of violence are ongoing, with reports on the matter expected to be released in the coming days. Regarding the ongoing internet blackout in the country, she explained that decisions related to ‘security threats’ are made by the Supreme National Security Council, considering potential damage and institutional assessments.

She mentioned that businesspeople and traders currently have limited internet access. ‘President Pezeshkian supports lifting restrictions on internet access, but given the current circumstances, security councils should manage decisions related to service disruptions,’ she added.