President Donald Trump announced that Iran has reached out to propose negotiations following his recent threats to retaliate against the nation. This development comes amid escalating violence in Iran, where a crackdown on protesters has resulted in significant casualties.

On Sunday night, President Trump revealed that his administration is in preliminary discussions to arrange a meeting with Iranian officials. However, he expressed caution, indicating that action might be necessary before any talks can occur, given the rising death toll and continued arrests of demonstrators.

“We’re in the process of setting up a meeting, but action might be needed due to current events. Nonetheless, a meeting is being organized. Iran has reached out, expressing a desire to negotiate,” Trump stated to reporters aboard Air Force One.

Iran has not yet responded to President Trump’s remarks. Previously, Iranian authorities have warned that both the U.S. military and Israel could become “legitimate targets” if the U.S. intervenes to support the protesters.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency, based in the United States and known for its accurate reporting on past Iranian unrest, has provided the latest figures on the casualties. The agency, which relies on a network of supporters within Iran to verify information, reports that at least 544 individuals have died. This includes 496 protesters and 48 security personnel. Additionally, over 10,600 have been detained during the two weeks of ongoing protests.

With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. Iran’s government has not offered overall casualty figures.

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Iran’s foreign minister claims that situation “under total control.”

Iran’s foreign minister claimed Monday that “the situation has come under total control” after a bloody crackdown on nationwide protests in the country.

Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim.

Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks.

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Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed.

Iran’s foreign minister alleges nationwide protests ‘turned violent and bloody to give an excuse’ for Trump to intervene

Iran’s foreign minister alleged Monday that nationwide protests in his nation “turned violent and bloody to give an excuse” for U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene.

Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim, which comes after over 500 have been reported killed by activists — the vast majority coming from demonstrators.

Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks.

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Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed.

Iran calls in British ambassador after protesters remove embassy flag

Iran has summoned the British ambassador over protesters twice taking down the Iranian flag at their embassy in London.

Iranian state television also said Monday that it complained about “certain terrorist organization that, under the guise of media, spread lies and promote violence and terrorism.” The United Kingdom is home to offices of the BBC’s Persian service and Iran International, both which long have been targeted by Iran.

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Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed.

One protesters injured at demonstration in Los Angeles against Iranian government

A huge crowd of demonstrators, some waving the flag of Iran, gathered Sunday afternoon along Veteran Avenue in LA’s Westwood neighborhood to protest against the Iranian government. Police eventually issued a dispersal order, and by early evening only about a hundred protesters were still in the area, ABC7 reported.

Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran.

Los Angeles police responded Sunday after somebody drove a U-Haul box truck down a street crowded with the the demonstrators, causing protesters to scramble out of the way and then run after the speeding vehicle to try to attack the driver. A police statement said one person was hit by the truck but nobody was seriously hurt.

The driver, a man who was not identified, was detained “pending further investigation,” police said in a statement Sunday evening.