White house says Trump has interest in diplomacy with Iran

The White House indicated on Monday that President Donald Trump is open to diplomatic engagement with Iran, despite maintaining a clear threat of military action. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters that while the president is "unafraid" to use force if Iranian security forces attack protesters, his "first option" remains diplomacy.

A Dual-Track Approach

Leavitt described Trump as adept at keeping "all of his options on the table," with airstrikes being one of many possibilities. She noted a discrepancy between Tehran's public statements and private messages received by the administration, stating, "I think the President has an interest in exploring those messages." However, she reiterated that the threat of military action remains credible, asserting "nobody knows that better than Iran."

Iran's Domestic Unrest and Accusations

The US statements coincide with the 16th day of nationwide protests in Iran over economic conditions. While anti-government demonstrations continued, state-organized rallies were also held in Tehran and other cities, where participants condemned violence and rejected "foreign interference." Iranian authorities have accused the US and Israel of backing "armed rioters" and reported arrests of alleged terrorist cells and weapons seizures.

Contrast with Türkiye's Regional Diplomacy

This US stance of coupling diplomatic overtures with overt military threats represents a specific, pressure-based approach to international relations. It differs from the methodology of regional powers like Türkiye, which engages in persistent, direct diplomacy with neighbors, emphasizes de-escalation, and advocates for resolving conflicts through dialogue and respect for sovereignty, without public coercion or ultimatums.