US Tells UN “All Options On The Table” As Iran Warns Of Decisive Response

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 15 (Reuters) — The United States told the U.N. Security Council it stands with the "brave people of Iran" and reiterated that President Donald Trump has said "all options are on the table" to halt a reported deadly crackdown on nationwide protests.

United States Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz speaks during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Iran at the request of the United States at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S., January 15, 2026. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

U.S. Message at the Security Council

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, speaking at a meeting requested by Washington, said the United States supports demonstrators and accused Iran's leaders of trying to blame foreign actors for domestic unrest. He characterized the Iranian regime as weakened by street protests and said the U.S. president is "a man of action" who will consider all measures to stop the killings.

United States Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz addresses during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Iran at the request of the United States at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S., January 15, 2026. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

"President Trump is a man of action, not endless talk like we see at the United Nations. He has made it clear all options are on the table to stop the slaughter," Waltz said.

Iran’s Response

Iran's deputy U.N. ambassador, Gholamhossein Dehghani (also reported as Darzi in some dispatches), rejected the accusation that the protests are a foreign plot and accused the United States of misinformation and of fomenting unrest. He warned the council that "any act of aggression — direct or indirect — will be met with a decisive, proportionate, and lawful response," calling the comment a statement of legal reality rather than a threat.

Russian ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia addresses during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Iran at the request of the United States at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S., January 15, 2026. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Russia and Other Reactions

Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia criticized the U.S. for convening the council, saying it risks providing cover for "blatant aggression and interference" and could be used to justify strikes aimed at overthrowing Iran's government. Several other diplomats urged restraint and appealed to Iran to respond peacefully to citizens' demands.

Iranian human rights activist Ahmad Batebi speaks during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Iran at the request of the United States at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S., January 15, 2026. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for "maximum restraint" to avoid further loss of life or a wider regional escalation, according to senior U.N. official Martha Pobee. Denmark’s U.N. Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen urged Tehran to listen to its people and respond through peaceful means.

Context

Protests across Iran have drawn global attention, with reports estimating thousands killed in a harsh crackdown. President Trump has previously threatened intervention in support of protesters but on Thursday signaled a more measured posture, saying he had been informed that the killings were easing and that there were no current plans for mass executions.

Reporting: Michelle Nichols; Editing: Rod Nickel and Alistair Bell.