Tragic scenes have emerged from Iran, where devastated families are combing through rows of bodies following a brutal crackdown by the Islamic Republic on anti-regime protesters.

Numerous bodies, sealed in black bags, were stacked outside the Kahrizak Forensic Medical Center near Tehran. Over the weekend, family members frantically searched for their deceased relatives among the victims.

Amidst the chaos, some mourners were heard crying out in agony, while others leaned over the bodies sprawled on the ground. In one poignant moment, a man was captured on video nervously unzipping a body bag as another hurried over to peer inside.

This harrowing scene unfolded as the death toll climbed to at least 544, after two weeks of nationwide protests triggered by Iran’s worsening economic crisis, characterized by soaring inflation and a rapidly devaluing currency.

Meanwhile, President Trump has expressed a desire for Iran to enter negotiations with Washington, following his warnings of potential strikes against the regime in response to its violent suppression of demonstrators.

Trump and his national security team have been weighing a range of responses against Iran, including cyberattacks and direct strikes by the US or Israel, according to sources.

“The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night.

Asked about Iran’s threats of retaliation, he added: “If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before.”

Trump said his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Iranian leaders but warned that he may have to act first as reports of the death toll and arrest numbers only continued to rise.

“I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States,” Trump said.

“Iran wants to negotiate.”

“The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what’s happening before the meeting.

But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate,” he added.

Of the dead, at least 496 are protesters and 48 were with security forces, according to alarming estimates released Sunday from US-based Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA).

More than 10,600 people have also been detained over the two weeks of protests that kicked off on Dec. 28.

The protests began over Iran’s ailing economy but have since morphed into the most significant challenge to the government in years.

With Post wires