The death toll in Iran’s anti-government uprising has climbed to a staggering 648, according to rights groups, as the regime in Tehran deploys heavy weaponry against its own citizens. Amidst the carnage, the White House has issued its sternest warning yet, with President Donald Trump declaring he is "unafraid" to use the full might of the US military to halt the slaughter.

The crackdown, now in its third week, has turned Iranian cities into war zones. A nationwide internet blackout has obscured the full scale of the violence, but reports reaching the West describe security forces firing live ammunition into crowds and conducting door-to-door executions. "The regime is trying to kill its way to silence," said a spokesperson for the Iran Human Rights group.

"Diplomacy is the First Option, War is the Second"

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed today that while diplomatic channels remain open, the military option is firmly on the table. "The President has been clear: if the killing continues, the United States will not stand by," she stated. This rhetoric marks a significant escalation, moving beyond sanctions to direct threats of kinetic intervention.

However, Tehran remains defiant. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to Al Jazeera, warned that Iran is "fully prepared for war." He referenced the country's missile capabilities, asserting that any US strike would be met with a devastating regional response. "We do not seek war, but we do not fear it," Araghchi claimed, accusing Washington of using "treacherous mercenaries" to incite the unrest.

The "Double Game"

Interestingly, US intelligence suggests a disconnect between Tehran's public bluster and its private communications. Sources indicate that back-channel messages from Iranian officials are more conciliatory, hinting at a regime that is terrified of losing control. The US is reportedly exploring these openings, looking for a way to de-escalate without abandoning the protesters who have pinned their hopes on Western support.

• The UK Stance: British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has joined the chorus of condemnation, terming the violence "horrific." In response, Iran has threatened to evacuate its embassy in London, signaling a potential break in diplomatic relations.
• The Human Cost: Beyond the dead, thousands have been detained. The "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement, which began as a protest against social restrictions, has morphed into a revolutionary struggle for the survival of the Iranian state.