Overnight, the streets of central Tehran were marked by a palpable tension, as witnesses reported a significant security presence. Evidence of unrest littered the area, with government buildings bearing the scars of fire and ATMs left shattered. The usual bustle was notably absent, with few individuals venturing out.

In the political arena, President Trump has indicated that Iran is interested in reopening negotiations with Washington. This possibility looms large over everyday conversations in Tehran, fueling speculation about what might come next.

Mahmoud, a local shopkeeper who preferred to share only his first name for safety reasons, reflected on the uncertainty. “My customers are frequently discussing Trump’s reactions,” he said, “wondering aloud whether he plans a military strike against the Islamic Republic.” Yet, Mahmoud remains skeptical about international intentions. “I don’t believe Trump or any other foreign country truly cares about the interests of Iranians,” he added.

Echoing these sentiments, Reza, a taxi driver who also shared only his first name, noted that the recent protests continue to be a common topic of discussion among residents. The unrest remains fresh in the minds of many, coloring their daily interactions and outlooks.

Reza, a taxi driver who also gave just his first name, said protests remain on many people’s minds.

“People — particularly young ones — are hopeless but they talk about continuing the protests,” he said.

Iranians reach out, but world can’t reach in

Several people in Tehran were able to call The Associated Press on Tuesday morning (night AEDT) and speak to a journalist there. The AP bureau in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was unable to call those numbers back.

The witnesses said text messaging still was down and that internet users in Iran could connect to government-approved websites locally but nothing abroad.

Anti-riot police officers, wearing helmets and body armour, carried batons, shields, shotguns and tear gas launchers, according to the witnesses.

Police stood watch at major intersections. Nearby, the witnesses saw members of the Revolutionary Guard’s all-volunteer Basij force, who similarly carried firearms and batons. Security officials in plainclothes were visible in public spaces as well.

Several banks and government offices were burned during the unrest, they said. Banks struggled to complete transactions without the internet, the witnesses added.

However, shops were open, though there was little foot traffic in the capital. Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, where the demonstrations began on December 28, was to open on Tuesday. However, a witness described speaking to multiple shopkeepers who said the security forces ordered them to reopen no matter what. Iranian state media had not acknowledged that order.

The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.

It also appeared that security service personnel were searching for Starlink terminals as people in northern Tehran reported authorities raiding apartment buildings with satellite dishes. While satellite television dishes are illegal, many in the capital have them in their homes and officials broadly had given up on enforcing the law in recent years.

On the streets, people also could be seen challenging plainclothes security officials, who were stopping passersby at random.

State television also read a statement about mortuary and morgue services being free — a signal some likely charged high fees for the release of bodies amid the crackdown.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a statement carried by state TV, praised the tens of thousands who took part in pro-government demonstrations nationwide on Monday.

“This was a warning to American politicians to stop their deceit and not rely on traitorous mercenaries,” he said.

“The Iranian nation is strong and powerful and aware of the enemy.”

State TV on Monday aired chants from the crowd, which appeared in the tens of thousands, of “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” Others cried out, “Death to the enemies of God!” Iran’s attorney general has warned that anyone taking part in protests will be considered an “enemy of God”, a death-penalty charge.

Iran says it communicated with Washington

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to the Qatar-funded satellite news network Al Jazeera in an interview aired on Monday night, said he continued to communicate with US envoy Steve Witkoff.

The communication “continued before and after the protests and are still ongoing,” Araghchi said. However, “Washington’s proposed ideas and threats against our country are incompatible.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Iran’s public rhetoric diverges from the private messaging the administration has received from Tehran in recent days.

“I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages,” Leavitt said.

“However, with that said, the president has shown he’s unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary, and nobody knows that better than Iran.”

Trump imposes tariffs on Iran trading partners

Trump announced on Monday that countries doing business with Iran will face 25 per cent tariffs from the United States. Trump announced the tariffs in a social media posting, saying they would be “effective immediately”.

It was action against Iran for the protest crackdown from Trump, who believes exacting tariffs can be a useful tool in prodding friends and foes on the global stage to bend to his will.

Brazil, China, Russia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are among economies that do business with Tehran.

Trump said on Sunday that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports of the death toll in Iran mount and the government continues to arrest protesters.

“I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States,” Trump said. “Iran wants to negotiate.”

Iran, through the country’s parliamentary speaker, warned on Sunday that the US military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if Washington uses force to protect demonstrators.

More than 10,700 people also have been detained over the two weeks of protests, said the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years and gave the latest death toll early on Tuesday. It relies on supporters in Iran cross-checking information. It said 512 of the dead were protesters and 134 were security force members.

With the internet down in Iran, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the toll. Iran’s government hasn’t offered overall casualty figures.