U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s leadership has reached out to him seeking negotiations, as reports emerge of hundreds of protesters killed during a violent crackdown on nationwide demonstrations. Trump said Tehran contacted him after he warned of possible U.S. military action if Iranian authorities continued killing protesters.
Iran has been gripped by protests for more than two weeks, initially triggered by rising living costs but now evolving into a broader challenge to the clerical system established after the 1979 revolution. Despite a widespread internet shutdown, videos and eyewitness accounts from Tehran and other cities continue to surface, showing large crowds and violent confrontations with security forces.
Human rights groups have raised alarm over the scale of the crackdown. The Center for Human Rights in Iran said it had received credible reports indicating that hundreds of protesters have been killed, warning that a “massacre is unfolding.” Another rights group, Iran Human Rights, confirmed at least 192 deaths but said the real toll could be far higher, possibly exceeding 2,000.
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that a meeting with Iranian leaders was being arranged, though he added that the United States “may have to act before a meeting.” Iranian officials have rejected U.S. threats, with parliamentary leaders warning that American military assets could be targeted if Washington intervenes.
Inside Iran, daily life has been severely disrupted. Shops are closing early, prices of basic goods have surged, and security forces are heavily deployed in major cities. While state media has sought to portray calm returning, videos continue to show protests, including chants calling for the return of the monarchy.
The unrest has drawn international attention and sparked solidarity rallies abroad, where protesters have replaced Iran’s current flag at some embassies with the pre-revolution national flag. As pressure mounts at home and abroad, Trump’s claim of potential negotiations adds another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile situation.
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