Trump says Iran wants to negotiate as the death toll in protests rises to 544

The death toll in protests across Iran is said to have risen to 544 Picture: UGC via AP

US President Donald Trump said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its bloody crackdown on protesters, a move coming as activists said the death toll in the nationwide demonstrations rose to at least 544.

Iran had no direct reaction to Mr Trump’s comments, which came after the foreign minister of Oman — long an interlocutor between Washington and Tehran — travelled to Iran this weekend.