'Iran wants to negotiate': Trump as he warns of action as over 500 protesters killed
PTC News Desk: US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran’s leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, had contacted him to discuss “negotiations” after he issued threats of military action in response to widespread anti-government protests in Iran.
Trump said he was receiving updates “every hour” on the situation inside the country and would soon “make a determination.”
"The leaders of Iran called yesterday," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, adding that "a meeting is being set up... They want to negotiate."
When asked about reports of protester deaths, Trump stated that some fatalities occurred due to stampedes. “Some protesters were trampled because of the crowd, and some were shot,” he said. On the possibility of Iran or its affiliates launching retaliation, Trump delivered a stark warning: “If they do that, we will strike them harder than they’ve ever been hit before. They won’t even believe it.”
He added that Iran should already recognize US resolve, referencing past actions. “Don’t you think they take your threats seriously?” Trump asked a reporter. “Look at what’s happened — years of pressure, strikes on Soleimani, al-Baghdadi, and the elimination of the Iran nuclear threat.”
Trump did not specify whether he had consulted with US allies or offer any timeline for a potential decision.
Iran has been witnessing repeated rounds of unrest recently, with thousands of people demonstrating against the government in multiple cities.
- With inputs from agencies
