Jan 12 News Live: Death toll in crackdown on protests in Iran rises to 544, activists say

Trump says Iran pitched negotiations after US leader threatened action for protester crackdown

President Donald Trump said Iran reached out to the US and proposed negotiations after he threatened action in response to a crackdown on protesters in the Middle Eastern country.

Trump in comments to reporters aboard Air Force One said that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports of the death toll in Iran mount and the government continues to arrest protesters.

“I think they're tired of being beat up by the United States,” Trump said. He added, “Iran wants to negotiate.”

Iran: Death toll in crackdown on protests rises to 544, activists say

A crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran has killed at least 544 people and even more are feared dead, activists have said, while Tehran warned that the US military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America uses force to protect demonstrators.

Another over 10,600 people have been detained over the two weeks of protests, said the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency on Sunday, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years. It relies on supporters in Iran cross-checking information.

It said 496 of the dead were protesters and 48 were with security forces.

Trump on Iran situation: 'Looking at very strong options'

On the situation in Iran, US President Donald Trump said, "It looks like (the line has been crossed)... Some people, who were not supposed to be killed, have been killed... If you talk about leaders, I don't know if they are leaders or just rule through violence... But we and the military are looking at it very seriously, and we are looking at some very strong options..."

Trump 'inclined' to keep ExxonMobil out of Venezuela after CEO response at White House meeting

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that he is “inclined” to keep ExxonMobil out of Venezuela after its top executive was skeptical about oil investment efforts in the country after the toppling of former President Nicolás Maduro.

“I didn't like Exxon's response,” Trump said to reporters on Air Force One as he departed West Palm Beach, Florida. “They're playing too cute.” During a meeting Friday with oil executives, Trump tried to assuage the concerns of the companies and said they would be dealing directly with the US, rather than the Venezuelan government.

Some, however, weren't convinced.

“If we look at the commercial constructs and frameworks in place today in Venezuela, today it's uninvestable,” said Darren Woods, CEO of ExxonMobil, the largest US oil company. AP

Karur stampede probe: Vijay to appear before CBI

TVK chief Vijay to appear before CBI in the Karur stampede probe.