Trump says Iran proposed negotiations after 'threat'

US President Donald Trump says Iran has proposed negotiations after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic as a crackdown on demonstrators has led to hundreds of deaths.

- 

Trump said late on Sunday his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act before then as reports of deaths mount and the government continues to arrest protesters. “Iran called, they want to negotiate,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One.

Iran did not acknowledge Trump's comments immediately. It has previously warned the US military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America uses force to protect demonstrators.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has accurately reported on past unrest in Iran, said at least 572 people have been killed, including 503 protesters and 69 members of security forces. It said more than 10,600 people have been detained over the two weeks of protests. The group relies on supporters in Iran crosschecking information.

However, the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) group said that at least 648 protesters have been killed in the crackdown by Iranian security forces, warning the actual toll could be far higher.