Death toll from protests in Iran increases as Trump says Iran wants to talk

""The military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options," Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night. Asked about Iran's threats of retaliation, he said: "If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they've never been hit before." Trump said that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports of the death toll in Iran mount"

""I think they're tired of being beat up by the United States," Trump said. "Iran wants to negotiate." He added: "The 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. Iran called, they want to negotiate." There was no immediate acknowledgment from Iran of the offering for a meeting. The massive ongoing U.S. military deployment to the Caribbean is a factor that the Pentagon and Trump's national security planners"

U.S. national security planners weighed a range of potential responses to Iran’s crackdown on demonstrators, including cyberattacks and direct strikes by the United States or Israel. A substantial military deployment to the Caribbean factors into strategic calculations. Military leadership evaluated strong options and warned of striking Iran at unprecedented levels if Iran retaliates. Negotiations with Tehran were in the process of being set up, though action could occur before any meeting given mounting casualties and arrests. Iran warned that the U.S. military and Israel would be legitimate targets if force is used. More than 10,600 people have been detained and at least 544 died.

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