Amid ongoing mass protests across Iran in which hundreds of people have reportedly been killed, the country has reached out to the United States to open new negotiations, U.S. President Donald Trump has said.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump disclosed that Iranian leaders had contacted him a day earlier to propose talks.
“They called to negotiate,” Trump said, adding that a meeting with Iranian representatives could be arranged. However, he noted that the United States might need to act first, given the scale of the protests rocking the country.
“I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States,” he added, an apparent reference to Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear programme last year, which involved U.S. military support.
Trump did not specify what issues any potential negotiations would cover. Last year, Iran held indirect discussions with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff over its controversial nuclear programme.
Earlier on Sunday, U.S. media reports indicated that Trump was weighing a range of options, including possible military strikes, in response to the crisis in Iran.
CNN, citing two U.S. officials, reported that Trump had been briefed on various intervention strategies following reports that hundreds of protesters had been killed. While military options were discussed, officials also explored measures that would not involve direct combat.
According to the report, some proposals focused on targeting Iran’s security forces deployed to suppress the demonstrations. However, concerns were raised within the administration that military action could backfire, potentially weakening the protest movement.
Officials reportedly feared that strikes could rally public support behind Iran’s authoritarian leadership or provoke military retaliation from Tehran.
Similarly, Axios reported that Trump was considering several options — including military ones — to support the protests, though most did not involve combat operations. Other measures under consideration include deploying an aircraft carrier strike group to the region to pressure Iranian leaders, as well as possible cyber operations.
Trump expressed support for the protesters over the weekend, stating that the United States was “ready to help,” without detailing what form that assistance might take.
Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have shut down internet access for the fourth consecutive day in an effort to curb the unrest. Trump suggested that the U.S. could help protesters regain access to satellite internet.
When asked whether Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, could be made available in Iran, Trump said the option was under consideration and that the U.S. would try to restore internet access if possible. He added that he planned to speak with Musk later on Sunday.
According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 544 people have been killed during the protests over the past 15 days, though the true figure may be higher due to communication blackouts and restricted access to information.
The protests, which began about two weeks ago over Iran’s worsening economic crisis, have since evolved into widespread political demonstrations against the Islamic Republic’s leadership.