Trump says Iran wants talks but warns US may act first amid violent unrest

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Iran wants to talk after he threatened military action, as the country faces its biggest protests since 2022. “The leaders of Iran called… a meeting is being set up. They want to negotiate,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One. But he warned: “We may have to act before a meeting.”

The protests started on December 28 over rising prices and have spread across the country. Many shops are closed and streets are quieter than usual. Videos shared online show people demanding change, and some even call for a return to monarchy. The government has limited internet access, making it hard to get information.

Iranian authorities announced three days of mourning for security forces killed during the protests and asked citizens to join a “national resistance march” on Monday, according to state media. Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned that US military and shipping targets would be “legitimate” if Washington acts.

Trump also said he wants to talk with Elon Musk about bringing internet back to Iran using SpaceX’s Starlink satellites. “He’s very good at that,” Trump said.

The unrest has drawn attention from around the world. Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s former Shah, called on government workers and security forces to support the people. Supporters abroad have been waving the old Iranian flag from before the 1979 revolution.

According to Tribune and Dawn, Tehran remains tense. State TV shows a mix of protests and calm, while both sides signal a mix of willingness to negotiate and readiness to fight. The situation keeps the world watching closely as US-Iran relations face a critical moment.

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