Tehran has expressed interest in talks with the United States after threatening military action in the wake of widespread anti-government protests in Iran. US President Donald Trump said the administration led by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei has contacted him and preparations are underway for a meeting.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said Iranian leaders had called and expressed a willingness to talk, but he also warned that military action against Iran could be taken before the meeting.
Trump claimed that violence has broken out in Iran and that many people have been killed who should not have been killed. He said that the US military is closely monitoring the situation in Iran and is considering possible tough options. A decision on this will be made soon.
Asked whether Iran had crossed a “red line,” Trump declined to reveal specific military plans, saying the location, time, or tactics of the attack would not be announced in advance.
Regarding the casualties in the protests, Trump said that many people have lost their lives in stampedes and shootings in the crowds. At the same time, he gave a stern warning about the possible retaliation by Iran or its allies, saying that the US response will be on a scale they have never seen before.
Source: NDTV