Trump weighs response to Iran crackdown, Tehran says communication is open with US

Iran said on Monday it is keeping communications open with the U.S. as President Donald Trump weighed responses to a deadly crackdown on protests that have posed one of the biggest challenges to clerical rule since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Reuters reported.

Trump said on Sunday the U.S. may meet Iranian officials and that he is in contact with the opposition, while piling pressure on the Islamic Republic's leaders, including threatening possible military action in response to violence against protesters.

U.S.-based rights group HRANA said it had verified the deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel, with more than 10,600 people arrested since the protests began on December 28 and spread around the country.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the tallies. The flow of information from Iran has been hampered by an internet blackout since Thursday.

In verified video footage, Iranians gathered at the Kahrizak Forensic Centre in Tehran on Sunday, standing over rows of dark body bags.

Iran has not given an official death toll, but blames the bloodshed on U.S. interference and what it calls Israeli- and U.S.-backed terrorists. State-run media has focused attention on the deaths of security forces.