WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Iran’s leadership had reached out to seek negotiations following his threats of military action amid widespread anti-government protests across the Islamic Republic.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said Iranian leaders had called on Saturday and expressed willingness to negotiate. “A meeting is being set up… they want to negotiate,” he said, while cautioning that Washington “may have to act before a meeting.”
Trump said his administration was weighing a range of responses to the escalating unrest in Iran, including possible military options. According to US-based rights group HRANA, more than 500 people have been killed during the protests, including protesters and security personnel, while over 10,000 have been arrested. Iran has not released official casualty figures, and the numbers could not be independently verified.
The demonstrations, described as the largest since 2022, began in late December over rising prices and economic hardship before evolving into broader opposition to Iran’s clerical leadership. Tehran has accused the United States and Israel of fomenting unrest and warned that any US military action would prompt retaliation against American bases and shipping, as well as Israel.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned Washington against what he called a “miscalculation,” saying any attack on Iran would make US and Israeli targets legitimate.
Trump said he remains in contact with Iranian opposition figures and confirmed that senior advisers would meet later this week to discuss options. Media reports said these could include military strikes, cyber operations, expanded sanctions and support for opposition groups.
Iranian authorities have intensified security measures, restricting internet access and calling for nationwide rallies to condemn what they describe as “terrorist actions led by the United States and Israel.” State media reported that three days of national mourning have been declared for those killed in unrest.
The crisis has drawn international concern. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged restraint and called for respect for the rights to peaceful assembly and expression. Meanwhile, Israeli officials said Israel was on high alert amid the possibility of US intervention.
Despite the scale of the unrest, analysts cautioned against assuming imminent regime change, noting the cohesion of Iran’s ruling elite and the absence of an organised opposition.