Trump says Iran proposed nuclear deal talks, as U.S. weighs military action
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President Trump looks on during a meeting with U.S. oil companies executives in the East Room of the White House on Jan. 9. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
President Trump said Sunday Iran reached out to the U.S. a day earlier and proposed to negotiate a nuclear deal.
- "We may meet with them. A meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what's happening, before the meeting. … but a meeting is being set up," he told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday.
Why it matters: Trump's surprising remarks come as protests in Iran intensify, the death toll rises and the U.S. considers taking military action against the regime.
- Trump said publicly that he was willing to use military force if the Iranian regime killed protesters. On Sunday he said he is looking at "very strong options" when is comes to supporting the protest movement in Iran.
Driving the news: U.S.-based human rights group HRANA said on Sunday that more than 544 people were killed and over 10,000 others arrested in the protests that took place in 585 locations across Iran over the past two weeks.
- Israeli defense officials told Axios Israeli intelligence assessments indicate that more than 1,000 protesters have been killed.
- Trump said he was receiving hourly updates on the situation in Iran and suggested it is beginning to cross the red line he has set for the Iranian regime. He said some of the protesters had been killed in a stampede and others were shot.
- "There seems to be some people killed that are not supposed to be killed," Trump told reporters. "These are violent, if you call them leaders, I don't know if you can call them leaders. They rule through violence."
State of play: Trump is expected to hold a meeting with his national security team on Tuesday to discuss options for supporting the protests and weakening the Iranian regime.
- "We are looking at it very seriously," Trump said. "The military is looking at it. We are looking at very strong options. We will make a determination."
Behind the scenes: In recent days, initial meetings have taken place inside the administration to discuss ways to support the protests.
- While U.S. military strikes against Iranian regime targets are among the options being discussed, many inside the Trump administration think major kinetic action at this stage would undermine the protests, two U.S. officials said.
- U.S. officials said most of the options that will be presented to the president at this stage are "not kinetic."
- Such options include steps to deter the regime, such as announcing an aircraft carrier strike group is heading to the region.
- The officials said cyberattacks and information operations against the Iranian regime are also being considered.
The other side: Iranian officials threatened that Tehran will target U.S. military bases in the region if Trump orders an attack.
- "If they did that we will hit them at level they were never hit before," Trump said on Sunday. "I have options that are so strong. If they did that I will hit them with very powerful force."
What to watch: Trump said he may speak to Elon Musk and ask him to help in restoring internet access in Iran via his Starlink satellite service after days of blackouts.
Editor's note: This article and its headline have been updated to reflect fresh comment from President Trump.
