U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran proposed negotiations after he threatened to strike the nation over its bloody crackdown on protesters. Activists said the death toll in protests rose to at least 544.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke as Israel goes on high alert and Iran faces mounting anti-regime protests.

Iran’s unrest comes as Trump flexes US muscles internationally, having ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, and discussing acquiring Greenland by purchase or force. Alan ‌Eyre, a former US diplomat and Iran expert, thought it unlikely the protests would topple the establishment.

Protests challenging Iran’s theocracy have reached the two-week mark, with demonstrators flooding the streets in Tehran and Mashhad

At least 538 people have been killed since demonstrations began two weeks ago, according to figures from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.

A statement from the group reads: “Live metrics show Iran is now in the midst of a nationwide internet blackout; the incident follows a series of escalating digital censorship measures targeting protests across the country and hinders the public's right to communicate at a critical moment.”

Violent crackdowns on anti-government protesters in Iran are drawing attention from Trump and condemnation from international human rights groups.

Iranian media report a calm night as a nationwide internet ban continues and US president announces a possible meeting.

X replaces Islamic Republic flag emoji with Shah-era Iran flag amid mass protests * Syria began transferring Kurdish fighters from Aleppo to northeast, state media says