'I believe they’re
weary of being battered by the United States,' President
Donald Trump states.
On January 11,
President Donald Trump announced that Iran's leadership has reached out to his
government in hopes of initiating discussions after he cautioned about
potential military involvement amidst widespread protests in Iran. Trump
informed reporters traveling aboard Air
Force One that officials from Iran had contacted U.S. representatives and that arrangements for a meeting
between the two parties were underway. 'I believe they’re weary of being battered
by the United States,' the president stated. 'Iran desires to negotiate.' Trump warned that the U.S. 'might have to act' prior to any forthcoming meeting
due to the current turmoil
in Iran, where the regime's suppression of protests has resulted in
hundreds of deaths. 'There appear to be individuals killed that shouldn’t be
killed. These are aggressive, if you
label them leaders. I’m unsure if their leaders simply ... they govern through
aggression, but we’re examining it very earnestly. 'The military is assessing
it, and we’re contemplating some very robust actions. We’ll reach a decision,'
he remarked. As of January 11, Human
Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that at least 544
individuals have perished and around 10,681 others have been imprisoned in
Iran's widespread protests, relying on supporters within Iran for fact-checking
their data. Of those fatalities, HRANA noted
that at least 483 were demonstrators, and 47 were members of law enforcement.
The protests have now extended to all 31 provinces, entering their 15th day,
with HRANA investigating reports of
numerous more individuals feared dead. Trump previously cautioned that the U.S.
military would intervene if the Iranian regime escalates the
use of lethal force
against demonstrators. 'If Iran shoots
[sic] and violently kills peaceful demonstrators, which is their custom,
the United States
of America will come to their aid. We are prepared and ready to
mobilize,' he asserted on Truth
Social on January 2. The president emphasized on January 10 that the United
States is 'prepared to assist,'
drawing strong rebukes
from Iran’s political leaders. Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf threatened on January 11 that
Israel and U.S. military bases would become Iran’s
'legitimate target'
in case of a U.S. strike. The protests, which
erupted on December
28, 2025, were ignited by soaring inflation and the collapse of
the Iranian rial. Iranian officials have indicated readiness for a stronger
crackdown after cutting off internet and phone connectivity nationwide,
drastically restricting the flow of information and complicating casualty
verification efforts. Iranian supreme leader
Ali Khamenei asserted on social media on January 9 that demonstrators
have been damaging property throughout Tehran and other cities to please Trump and 'bring him joy.' Chief Justice
of Iran Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei has insisted that punishments for demonstrators will be
'decisive, maximum, and devoid of any legal flexibility.'
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