United Nations, Jan 16 (NationPress) In a heated exchange at the Security Council, the United States cautioned Iran that “all options are on the table” to halt the violence against demonstrators, while Tehran insisted it was pursuing “neither escalation nor confrontation”.

“President (Donald) Trump is a man of action,” US Permanent Representative Mike Walz stated on Thursday during an emergency session requested by Washington. “He has made it clear all options are on the table to stop the slaughter” of protesters.

Iran’s Deputy Permanent Representative Gholamhossein Darzi moderated his comments about avoiding escalation, noting, “Any act of aggression, direct or indirect, will be met with a decisive, proportionate, and lawful response”.

Earlier this week, Trump threatened action against Iran, saying, “The military is looking at it, and we're exploring some very strong options”.

However, on Wednesday, he mentioned that Tehran had indicated it would halt the planned executions of protesters, a claim later verified by Iran.

In a call to NBC on Thursday, Trump asserted, “We saved a lot of lives yesterday”.

Walz’s remarks left the possibility of action open if Iran resumed its harsh crackdown on protesters.

He also remarked that the unrest in Iran would have consequences extending beyond its borders.

“The level of violence, this level of repression that the Iranian regime has unleashed against its own citizens and its own people has repercussions for international peace and security,” he added.

“Iran claims it is open to dialogue, but its actions suggest otherwise,” he stated.

Darzi accused the US of inciting unrest in Iran, a claim Walz refuted.

Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee, who addressed the Council, noted that the protests, which began due to inflation and the depreciating rial, were diminishing in intensity.

“The situation in Iran is fluid and deeply concerning,” she said. “Protests continue, albeit reportedly at a smaller scale than last week.”

Without explicitly naming the US, she expressed alarm over various public statements suggesting potential military strikes on Iran, indicating that this external pressure adds volatility to an already tense situation.

She also mentioned, “The Secretary-General (Antonio Guterres) has expressed deep concern over the reported excessive use of force in Iran and stressed the urgent need to prevent further casualties.”

Russia and China sided with Iran, criticizing the US for its threats.

China’s Deputy Permanent Representative Sun Lei warned that any “military adventurism” would lead to regional instability.

Russia’s Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia accused the US of “fueling hysteria” regarding Iran and of convening a Council meeting to “lend credibility to and justify” its objective of “overthrowing an undesirable regime” through military action.