"US President Donald Trump said the Iranian leadership called to seek talks with Washington in the face of his threats of military action in response to Tehran's brutal crackdown of mass anti-government protests. "The leaders of Iran called," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on January 11. He added that "a meeting is being set up...They want to negotiate." However, "we may have to act before a meeting," he added without being specific."
"Trump earlier said he and the US military were studying options in Iran in efforts to support protesters amid unconfirmed reports that more than 500 people have been killed in a crackdown on anti-government demonstrations over the past 15 days. "The military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options," Trump told reporters, adding that he was in contact with Iranian opposition leaders, also without discussing specifics."
"Trump's comments came after US media reported that the US leader had been briefed on options to respond to the harsh security crackdown on protests in Iran. His remarks appear to confirm the reports by Axios, The New York Times, and Wall Street Journal, among others, that stated he was considering several options for supporting the protests in Iran. The Journal reported that specific options would be presented to the president on January 13."
The Iranian leadership called to seek talks with Washington as President Trump said a meeting was being set up and that Iran wanted to negotiate, though he warned the U.S. may act before any meeting. The president and the U.S. military were studying options to support protesters amid unconfirmed reports of more than 500 deaths in a crackdown over 15 days. Trump said the military was looking at strong options and that he was in contact with Iranian opposition leaders. U.S. media reported briefings on response options, including strikes, cyber measures, and additional sanctions. Rights groups and media reported protests, arrests, and violence in dozens of towns and cities.
Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
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