Overview
- Nationwide protests have entered a third week across major cities, campuses and markets, drawing tougher deployments by Basij and other security units after an IRGC call for counter-mobilization.
- Trump said Tehran asked to negotiate on the nuclear file and cautioned the U.S. might act before any meeting.
- The White House says he favors diplomacy as senior advisers urge caution, with options under review from cyber operations to targeted strikes and added sanctions, and officials framing the goal as changing Tehran’s behavior rather than regime change.
- Khamenei posted a defiant message on X likening Trump to a fallen pharaoh, underscoring Tehran’s rejection of U.S. pressure.
- Israeli media reported increased U.S. aircraft near Iranian airspace, while the U.S. ambassador to Israel said Washington does not intend a military intervention at present.