Trump Discusses Potential Negotiations with Iran Amid Protests

President Donald Trump mentioned that Iranian leaders reached out to him on Saturday in hopes of negotiating an agreement, though he indicated the U.S. might need to “act” before any discussions take place. This comes following his promise to protect protesters facing severe consequences for engaging in anti-regime demonstrations.

“Iran wants to negotiate, that’s true. We might meet with them,” Trump stated to reporters while aboard Air Force One late Sunday. “But considering the current situation, we may have to act before the meeting. The meeting is confirmed, and they have expressed a desire to negotiate.”

He also noted that the U.S. is weighing several “strong options” in light of Iran’s harsh response to the protests, though he did not provide specific details about what those options might entail.

“It appears that some people were killed who shouldn’t have been,” he remarked, while emphasizing that they are taking the situation seriously. “The military is reviewing the situation too. We’re considering strong options and will reach a decision.”

The president reported that he is receiving hourly updates on the protests occurring in Iran. “There have been reports of protesters being trampled to death, and the numbers are concerning. Some were shot… I’ll have to make a judgment based on the information I’m getting every hour,” he added.

According to estimates by the Human Rights Defenders of Iran (HRANA), at least 496 protesters have died during two weeks of unrest in the country. Rights organizations have also cited that over 10,600 individuals have been arrested during major demonstrations in Tehran, where there have been reports of body bags accumulating.

On Truth Social, Trump emphasized that the United States is “well-equipped and ready” to support the protesters. “If Iran kills peaceful protesters violently, which is their usual behavior, the U.S. will come to their rescue,” he wrote, adding, “We are locked, loaded, and ready to go.”

In response, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that both the U.S. and Israel could become “legitimate targets” if America chooses to attack Iran. He stated, “If Iran is attacked, both the occupied territories (meaning Israel) and all U.S. military installations, bases, and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets,” during a live broadcast.

When Trump was asked whether he was apprehensive about potential retaliatory actions, he responded, indicating that his approach would be unprecedented. “We will retaliate at a level that has never been seen before,” he stated. “If they do take such actions, we’ll consider targets they wouldn’t expect. We will respond in a way they have never experienced.”