Donald Trump says US military considering ‘very strong’ options as Iran proposes negotiations

President Donald Trump has revealed that Iran has proposed negotiations after the United States threatened action in response to a violent crackdown on protesters.

“Iran called to negotiate,” Mr Trump said aboard Air Force One on Sunday (local time).

“The leaders of Iran, they want to negotiate,” he continued. “I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States. Iran wants to negotiate with us.”

Mr Trump said that officials from his administration were arranging a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he might have to act beforehand as reports of the death toll in Iran increase and the Government continues to arrest protesters.

According to the latest figures, from activists inside and outside Iran, US-based rights group HRANA says it has verified the deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel, with more than 10,600 people arrested in two weeks of unrest.

Iranian authorities have not given an official toll.

Mr Trump said he is receiving hourly reports of the escalating situation and will be deciding on military action “very soon”.

“We’re looking at it very seriously. The military’s looking at it and we’re looking at some very strong options,” he told reporters.

“I’m getting an hourly report, and we’re going to make a determination very soon.”

Mr Trump and his national security team have reportedly been weighing a range of potential responses against Iran, including deploying cyberweapons against Iranian military and civilian sites, imposing additional economic sanctions on the Iranian Government and launching military strikes.

Mr Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday that “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Sunday that if it is attacked, Iran could target the United States, Israel and shipping lanes.

- With Reuters