ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Iran's leaders "want to negotiate," and that a meeting is being set up, warning however that Washington is looking at "some very strong" options and may act before the meeting.

"Iran called to negotiate ... yesterday, the leaders of Iran called, they want to negotiate," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "I think they are tired of being beat up [sic] by the United States," Trump said.

The American president further added that Washington may "meet with them, I mean, a meeting is being set up," caveating however that "we may have to act, because of what is happening, before the meeting."

Nationwide demonstrations in Iran began on December 27 at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, where business owners and shopkeepers launched strikes and protests over the falling value of the Iranian rial against the US dollar.

The demonstration later spread to other provinces, with chants increasingly targeting the state amid a surging current of anti-government sentiment, with Trump having repeatedly threatened to attack should Tehran kill its people.

“The military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options…I'm getting an hourly report, and we're going to make a determination very soon,” Trump added.

International powers, including the UK, and Canada have condemned the Iranian authorities' use of force to quell the recent protests.

Despite Trump’s threats, around 500 protesters have reportedly been killed by Iranian authorities since late December, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which also reports more than 10,000 people detained during the demonstrations.

The New York Times reported on Friday that Trump has been briefed on possible strike options in recent days; however, the president has not made a decision regarding any intervention yet.

Iranian authorities have dismissed Trump’s threats, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf on Sunday warned that the US and Israel will be "legitimate targets" should Washington intervene militarily.

When asked if he thinks Iran takes his threats seriously, Trump responded: “Wouldn't you say that they probably do at this point, after going through it for years with me?... Soleimani, al-Baghdadi, the Iran nuclear threat wiped out... What a stupid question.”

As of Sunday, the identities of 66 people “confirmed dead” had been verified, including 31 Kurds and 19 Lurs, Hengaw Human Rights Organization told The New Region.

The United Nation’s fact-finding mission on Saturday said Iran’s crackdown has been particularly brutal in ethnic minority areas.

The Iranian government has also shuttered internet access across the country in a bid to control the unrest, with the NetBlocks internet monitor on Sunday noting that access for citizens has been prevented for days.