U.S. President Donald Trump said early Monday that he is reviewing a range of responses to escalating unrest in Iran, including possible military options, as massive protests continue to sweep the country.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One in response to a question about whether Iran had crossed the red line he previously set—killing protesters—Trump said, “It seems they’ve started doing that.” He added, “We are watching this very seriously, the military is monitoring it, and we are considering some very strong options. We will make a decision.”
Trump also revealed that Iranian leadership has reached out to him seeking “negotiations” after he threatened military action amid nationwide anti-government demonstrations.
He told reporters, “Iranian leaders called yesterday,” adding that “a meeting is being arranged… they want to negotiate.” He continued, however, “We may have to act before a meeting takes place.”
In response to a question about whether he would coordinate with SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, which provides the Starlink satellite internet service used in Iran, Trump said, “It’s perfectly fine for that kind of thing, he has a very good company.”
Earlier, a human rights organization warned that Iranian authorities may have carried out “mass killings” during protests that have continued for two weeks, while the Iranian government called for pro-regime demonstrations on Monday.
At the same time, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed the need to prevent “rioters” from destabilizing the country. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed “shock” at reports of violent crackdowns on protesters, urging restraint from the authorities.
The Norway-based Human Rights Organization of Iran confirmed that 192 protesters have been killed since the protests began but warned that the actual death toll could already be in the hundreds or more.
The organization cited “unverified reports” suggesting that at least hundreds, and according to some sources over 2,000 people, may have been killed, condemning the actions as “mass killings” and a “major international crime against the Iranian people.”
A video verified by AFP on Sunday showed dozens of bodies stacked outside a morgue south of Tehran, which rights groups said were victims of the authorities’ crackdown on the protests.
The footage, geolocated at the Kahrizak morgue south of the Iranian capital, showed black body bags on the ground, while people believed to be relatives gathered, likely searching for missing loved ones. (Agencies)
