Trump says US may have to ‘act’ before meeting to negotiate with Iran
President Trump said late Sunday that the US is considering some “strong options” in response to Iran’s deadly crackdown on nationwide protests. REUTERS
President Trump said Saturday that Iranian leaders have contacted him to negotiate a potential deal following his warnings that the United States may intervene to defend protesters facing lethal force during ongoing anti-regime demonstrations in Iran. He added that the U.S. could be forced to take action even before any talks take place.
“Iran wants to negotiate, yes. We may meet with them — a meeting is being set up,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One late Sunday. “But we may have to act because of what’s happening before the meeting. Iran called — they want to negotiate.”
The president said the United States is considering “strong options” in response to Iran’s violent crackdown on protesters, though he did not provide details about the discussions underway.
“There seemed to be some people killed that aren’t supposed to be killed,” Trump said. “We’re looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some strong options. We’re going to make a determination.”
Trump said he has been receiving hourly briefings on the situation as unrest continues across the country.
“Some of the protesters were killed from all the stampeding — there were so many of them. And some were shot,” he said. “I’m getting an hourly report, and we’re going to make a determination.”
According to U.S.-based Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA), at least 496 protesters have been killed during two weeks of demonstrations that have spread throughout Iran’s theocratic government. The group also reported that more than 10,600 people have been arrested, with images circulating of body bags accumulating in Tehran.
In a Jan. 2 post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States is prepared to assist protesters if violence continues.
“If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue,” Trump wrote. “We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”
Iranian officials have responded with threats of retaliation. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that U.S. and Israeli targets could be attacked if Iran were struck.
“In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory (Israel) and all American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets,” Ghalibaf said during a live television broadcast.
When asked whether he was concerned about potential retaliation, Trump dismissed the warning.
“If they do that, we’ll consider things targets that they wouldn’t believe,” Trump said. “We will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before.”
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