(NewsNation) — President Donald Trump has threatened new strikes on Iran, where more than 500 people have died amid a crackdown on protests.

Trump says Iran has reached out, proposing talks and a possible meeting, despite escalating threats on both sides.

“We may meet with them. A meeting is being set up, but we may have to act before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called. They want to negotiate,” Trump told reporters after the speaker of Iran’s parliament issued a threat against the U.S. and Israel if they forcefully respond to the protest crackdown.

“In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets,” Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said over the weekend.

The president said if that happens, Iran will pay.

“If they do that, we will hit them at levels they have never been hit before,” Trump said.

Iran has accused the U.S. of fueling the protests, which began last month, targeting economic and inflation concerns as well as the government.

According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, a crackdown by Iran’s law enforcement has led to more than 500 deaths and another 10,000 arrests.

Iran has also cut internet access and phone lines across the country. Trump suggested he might reach out to billionaire Elon Musk to deploy Starlink satellites to restore internet service.

Trump is expected to meet with senior advisers Tuesday to discuss Iran and a potential U.S. response.

The threats from Iran come after the U.S. attacked ISIS targets in nearby Syria over the weekend. The strikes served as direct retaliation for the ambush attack last month that killed two U.S. servicemembers and a translator.