Trump: Iran Reached Out, Wants to Talk

President Trump says Iran—which is facing its deadliest unrest in years—has reached out to negotiate with the US in an apparent bid to ward off military intervention. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday night, Trump warned the move may be too late.

• "The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what's happening before the meeting," he said, per the AP. "But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate."
• On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was ready for war—and talks. "We are not warmongers, but we are prepared for war," he said, per the Washington Post. "We are also prepared for negotiations, but fair negotiations, with equal rights and mutual respect."

• The developments come as the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that at least 544 people have been killed in two weeks of protests, including 496 protesters and 48 from Iran's security forces. More than 10,000 have been detained, it added. Iran's internet remains under a blackout, notes the BBC.
• Trump has previously threatened to unleash strikes on Iran if protesters were killed, and he has been briefed on military options. Trump reiterated on Sunday the US is considering "very strong options," and he said Iran was talking the threats seriously. "They've been going through it for years with me," he said, noting the fatal US strike on a top Iranian general in his first term.