President Donald Trump said Iran reached out to the United States to propose talks after he warned of possible action in response to a violent crackdown on anti-government protesters.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said his administration was working to arrange a meeting with Tehran but cautioned that he could be forced to act first as reports of rising deaths and mass arrests continue, Associated Press reported.
“I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States,” Trump said, adding that Iran was seeking negotiations.
A sweeping crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran has killed at least 544 people, activists say, with fears that the death toll could be higher as communications remain largely cut off. Tehran also warned that US and Israeli forces would be “legitimate targets” if Washington intervenes to protect demonstrators.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said more than 10,600 people have been detained over the past two weeks. Of those killed, it said 490 were protesters and 48 were security personnel. The organisation has previously provided reliable casualty figures during earlier unrest.
With internet access restricted and phone lines severed, it has become difficult to independently assess events inside Iran. The Associated Press has not been able to verify the reported figures.
Iran has not released official casualty numbers. Activists abroad fear the information blackout has emboldened hard-liners within Iran’s security apparatus. Protesters again gathered in Tehran and the country’s second-largest city on Sunday.
Trump expressed support for the demonstrators, writing on social media that “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”
