Washington, D.C. / Tehran — US President Donald Trump expressed confidence on Friday that Iran would pursue negotiations rather than face potential American military action, even as Tehran insisted its missile capabilities would not be up for discussion.
“I can say this, they do want to make a deal,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, while confirming that he had set a deadline for Iran to enter talks on its nuclear and missile programs, though he did not reveal the specific timeline.
Trump also highlighted the presence of a US naval carrier group in the region, referring to it as a “large armada, flotilla, call it whatever you want, heading toward Iran right now.” He added, “Hopefully we’ll make a deal. If we do make a deal, that’s good. If we don’t make a deal, we’ll see what happens.”
Signs of Potential Negotiation
The president cited Iran’s recent decision to halt executions of protesters — following a crackdown in which rights groups say over 6,000 people were killed — as a sign that Tehran might be open to negotiations.
Washington’s regional allies have voiced concern that any US strike on Iran could trigger widespread instability and economic disruption. One senior Gulf official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We hope that whatever happens, it is going to lead to stability. That outcome could be reached by the Iranians doing the right thing, and we hope that happens.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s top security official, Ali Larijani, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. While details of their talks remain undisclosed, Moscow has offered to mediate between Washington and Tehran.
Iran Draws Firm Red Lines
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that the country’s missile and defense programs would “never” be on the negotiating table. “Iran is ready to begin negotiations if they take place on an equal footing,” he said, but emphasized that there are no plans to meet with US officials at this stage.
US media report that any potential deal would require limits on Iran’s long-range missiles, removal of enriched uranium, and a ban on independent enrichment. Experts warn that tying a nuclear agreement to broader defense issues would be highly challenging. Serhan Afacan, director of the Ankara-based Centre for Iranian Studies, said, “For now, the ballistic missile program remains a red line, as it sits at the core of Iran’s defense architecture.”
Rising Tensions in the Region
Iran has threatened instant retaliation against US bases, ships, and regional allies, including Israel, in the event of a strike. Ali Shamkhani, head of Iran’s Defence Council, said, “We are not limiting the geography of confrontation to the sea alone and have prepared ourselves for broader and more advanced scenarios.”
In Istanbul, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned against military escalation, noting that Israel is reportedly urging the United States to act against Iran.
The ongoing crisis comes after protests in Iran that erupted in late December, with human rights groups reporting over 6,500 deaths, including protesters and children, though Iranian authorities report lower numbers. The crackdown continues to draw international attention as tensions between Tehran and Washington escalate.
