India, Jan. 13 -- WASHINGTON, D.C, January 13 -Iran declared it is "prepared for war" but open to negotiations with the United States, as the Trump administration considers military intervention following weeks of deadly anti-government protests. The stark juxtaposition comes amid a severe crackdown, with rights groups reporting over 500 protester deaths and a nationwide communications blackout.

Protests have entered a third week amid a severe government response. A U.S.-based human rights group reports more than 500 protesters have been killed and nearly 10,700 arrested.Iranian authorities have imposed a communications blackout, now in its fourth day, severely limiting information flow. Iranian leaders have appeared at state-organized r...