Trump Says Iran is 'Seriously Talking' to US as Supreme Leader Warns of Regional War Escalation
President Donald Trump has declared that Iran is now "seriously talking" to the United States, following a period of heightened military threats and escalating tensions between the two nations. The American leader made these remarks on Saturday night, while simultaneously declining to confirm whether he had reached a final decision regarding the potential use of force against the Islamic Republic.
Diplomatic Overtures Amid Military Posturing
When questioned about the possibility of Iran being emboldened by any perceived American reluctance to act, Trump offered a nuanced response. "Well, some people think that and some people don't. And if you could make a negotiated deal that would be satisfactory with no nuclear weapons they should do that. But I don't know that they will. But they are talking to us. Seriously talking to us," the President stated.
This assertion of ongoing dialogue comes against a backdrop of significant US naval deployments in the region. Multiple reports indicate a fleet of approximately ten warships, including the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers, has been positioned in and around the Middle East. Trump himself referenced "very big powerful ships" heading towards the Gulf, emphasising the fleet's readiness for action if necessary.
Iran's Defiant Stance and Warnings of Wider Conflict
In Tehran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stark warning, directly contradicting any notion of Iranian aggression while promising a fierce retaliation. "We are not the ones who start a war and we do not want to attack any country," Khamenei said. "But if America attacks or harms Iran the Iranian nation will deliver a strong blow and any war started by America will spread across the region."
This rhetoric was echoed by other senior Iranian officials. Army Chief Amir Hatami cautioned that any attack by the US or Israel would endanger security across the Middle East, stating Iran's forces were at "full defensive and military readiness". Concurrently, Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, announced that the Islamic Republic now considers all European Union militaries to be terrorist organisations. This move is a direct retaliation after the EU designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard a terror group over its crackdown on domestic protests.
Mixed Signals from Tehran's Leadership
The situation presents a complex picture of mixed signals from Iranian leadership. While the Supreme Leader and military commanders issue warnings, other figures suggest diplomatic channels remain open. President Masoud Pezeshkian told his Egyptian counterpart that Tehran "in no way" seeks war, describing such a conflict as not being in the interest of Iran, the US, or the region.
Furthermore, Ali Larijani, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, claimed on social media that "structural arrangements for negotiations are progressing" with the United States, despite the public tensions and military buildup.
International Concerns and Domestic Protests
The escalating standoff has drawn concern from international actors. Turkey's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, warned that military action against Iran could destabilise the entire Middle East and offered Ankara's services as a potential facilitator between the two adversaries.
Meanwhile, thousands of protesters formed a human chain on San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, calling for greater international pressure on the Iranian regime to end political repression and violence. The demonstration, reminiscent of similar protests in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini, highlighted ongoing domestic discontent within Iran.
As the diplomatic and military manoeuvring continues, the world watches closely to see whether the "serious talks" cited by President Trump can avert a deeper crisis, or if the region is poised on the brink of a significantly expanded conflict.
