United States tells Iran that 'all options are on the table' at Security Council meeting

(Patria) - After weeks of escalating tensions, US and Iranian officials clashed on Thursday at the United Nations Security Council, where the US envoy renewed threats to Tehran, AP reported.

The United States was joined by Iranian dissidents in condemning the government's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests that activists say have killed at least 2,637 people.

"Colleagues, let me be clear: President Trump is a man of action, not endless talk as we see at the United Nations," said Mike Waltz, US Ambassador to the UN.

"He has made it clear that all options are on the table to stop the massacre. And no one should know that better than the leadership of the Iranian regime."

Waltz's remarks came as the prospect of US retaliation for the deaths of protesters continued to hang over the region, although Trump signaled a possible de-escalation, saying the killing appeared to be stopping.

By Thursday, protests challenging Iran's theocracy appeared to be weakening, but the state-ordered shutdown of the internet and communications remained.