HOLLYWOOD, Florida – US special envoy Steve Witkoff suggested on Thursday that the Trump administration prefers a diplomatic resolution, rather than a military one, to the ongoing tensions with Iran, sparked by the regime’s deadly violence against protesters.
Asked in an onstage interview at the Israeli-American Council conference in Florida if he thinks a US military strike against Iran is highly likely, Witkoff responded, ”I hope there’s a diplomatic resolution. I really do.”
The US envoy said a diplomatic agreement with Iran would address four issues: “(1) nuclear enrichment, (2) missiles – they have to cut back on their inventory; (3) the actual [nuclear] material that they have, which is roughly 2000 kilograms enriched anywhere between 3.67 percent and 60%; and (4) the proxies.
He suggested that Iran may be willing to compromise on all four issues because its economy is in such dire straits.
“If they want to come back to the League of Nations,we can solve those four problems diplomatically,then that would be a great resolution. The option is a bad one,” he said.
Asked if he has a message to the people of Iran who want the regime to fall, Witkoff responded, “They’re incredibly heroic people, and we stand with you.”
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to strike Iran if the regime killed protesters, something it did to the tune of several thousand.
But on Wednesday, Trump announced that Tehran had notified him that the killing of protesters had stopped, leading to speculation that Washington would not strike Iran.Over the past day, though, the US has been shifting additional military assets to the region.
Jeremy shapiro, research director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, said Trump may have decided to hold off on strikes because of concerns about the current US force posture in the middle East.
There are currently no US aircraft carriers, considered a critical asset in a notable military operation, in the region after the USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group
Iran Protests Escalate Amid Economic Crisis
Table of Contents
Widespread protests are challenging the authority of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, fueled by the country’s collapsing currency and broader discontent with his government. The demonstrations represent the most significant unrest Iran has experienced in years.
Economic Factors
The protests initially erupted in response to the dramatic decline of the Iranian currency,the rial. As of January 16, 2026, the rial has lost 50% of its value against the US dollar in the past year, according to Reuters. This devaluation has significantly increased the cost of essential goods, impacting the daily lives of iranian citizens.
Expansion of Protests
What began as economic protests have broadened into a direct challenge to Khamenei’s rule. Demonstrators are openly calling for regime change and expressing frustration with the government’s handling of economic issues and social restrictions. Reports from Amnesty International indicate that security forces have responded with force, resulting in an unconfirmed number of arrests and injuries.
government Response
The Iranian government has attempted to quell the unrest through a combination of internet restrictions and security crackdowns. Access to social media platforms,including Instagram and whatsapp,has been severely restricted, according to Voice of America, in an effort to limit the flow of information and organize protests. State media reports claim that authorities are taking measures to stabilize the economy, but specific details remain limited.
International Reaction
The United States has expressed support for the Iranian people and condemned the government’s violent response to the protests. On January 15, 2026, the U.S. State Department issued a statement calling on the Iranian government to respect the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.The European Union has also called for restraint and dialog.
