As Trump mulls his options, Iran's top diplomat claims more than two weeks of deadly anti-government unrest is under control, and he's willing to negotiate.

At least 572 people have been killed as security forces try to quash the unrest, activists say, with the true scale of the crackdown yet to become clear amid an internet blackout.

The US president says Iran "wants to negotiate", adding: "I think they're tired of being beat up by the United States."

Hundreds of protesters have been killed in Iran, rights groups say, as President Trump threatened "strong" military action.

Anti-government protests have erupted across all 31 of Iran’s provinces in a wave of unrest that marks the biggest challenge to the regime in years.

Iran staged pro-government rallies in Tehran and other cities as President Donald Trump said Tehran sought talks, even while deadly protests, arrests and an internet blackout continue nationwide.

Iran has warned it will retaliate if attacked by the US, as BBC sources and activists report hundreds of protesters have now been killed in an escalating government crackdown.

Anti-government protests in Iran have appeared to accelerate, sparked by economic woes and disillusionment with Tehran's clerical leaders.

Demonstrations broke out in Iran on Dec. 28 and have spread nationwide as protesters vent their increasing discontent over the Islamic Republic’s faltering economy and the collapse of its currency.

Iran’s diplomatic moves, not calling for assistance or reaching out to its allies, seem to be intended to show that Tehran believes everything is going to turn out all right. Iran has faced almost two weeks of protests.