Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday (21 February) dismissed U.S. claims that 32,000 civilians were killed during protests in Iran. He said Tehran has already released official figures and called for evidence to support any higher estimates.
"You know, the people of Iran are a lot different than the leaders of Iran, and it's very, very, very sad situation," U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday, adding that 32,000 people were killed in Iran over a "relatively short period of time."
In remarks through U.S. social media company X, Araghchi said Tehran had already fulfilled its “pledge of full transparency” by publishing an official list documenting 3,117 victims of what he described as “recent terrorist operations,” including around 200 security personnel.
He added that “if anyone disputes accuracy of our data, please share any evidence.”
The U.S.-based group HRANA, which monitors the human rights situation in Iran, has recorded 7,114 verified deaths and says it has another 11,700 under review.
The dispute over protest deaths comes as tensions escalate between Washington and Tehran.
Trump said Thursday that the United States would consider military action within 10 to 15 days if nuclear negotiations fail.
Two U.S. officials told Reuters that military planning had reached an advanced stage, with options ranging from targeted strikes to potential leadership change in Tehran.
Asked Friday whether he was considering a limited strike, Trump said: “I guess I can say I am considering.” He later added: “They better negotiate a fair deal.”
Araghchi warned that military action would complicate diplomatic efforts but said a deal remained possible “in a very short period of time.”
He confirmed that Iran is preparing a draft counterproposal that could be ready within days, following indirect talks in Geneva with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff under Omani mediation.
He said discussions focused on ensuring Iran’s nuclear program remains peaceful, including enrichment activities, in exchange for sanctions relief and confidence-building measures. The White House reiterated that Iran must not develop nuclear weapons or enrich uranium.
Trump also claimed his recent threats prevented Iranian authorities from carrying out mass executions, saying Tehran had planned to hang 837 people. That claim has not been independently verified.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the Persian Gulf, while Iran has conducted military drills, raising fears of broader regional escalation.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the United Nations, urged both sides to continue diplomacy to resolve their differences.
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Iran says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States meets seven conditions agreed under a June memorandum, as President Donald Trump signals he may soon decide whether to resume military operations against Tehran.
Regional powers gathered in Moscow on Monday for talks on Afghanistan, focusing on security, economic cooperation and Kabul’s relations with its neighbours.
Four major German political foundations have halted their work in Georgia as tighter rules on foreign grants put pressure on a decades-old partnership and add to tensions between Tbilisi and its European partners.
The U.S. has deployed two additional Patriot missile batteries to the Gulf, protecting key energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and Qatar as Washington expands its military presence in the Middle East amid heightened tensions with Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan held talks in Tehran on Monday on bilateral ties and efforts to strengthen peace and security in the South Caucasus.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry says it has conveyed its initial position to the United States through Qatar over Washington’s response to Tehran’s seven-day plan aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
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