President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday issued renewed warnings to Iran, saying time was running out to avoid military action while reiterating calls for negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Trump said a “massive armada” of US naval vessels was heading toward waters off Iran and was ready “to rapidly fulfil its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary.” He said the deployment was meant to pressure Iran as Washington seeks a new agreement addressing Iran’s nuclear activities.
Iran responded with warnings of its own. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iranian forces have their “fingers on the trigger” and would “powerfully respond” to any US military operation.
In the same message, he addressed the possibility of negotiations, writing on X:
“Iran has always welcomed a mutually beneficial, fair and equitable NUCLEAR DEAL — on equal footing, and free from coercion, threats, and intimidation — which ensures Iran’s rights to PEACEFUL nuclear technology, and guarantees NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS.”
Araghchi added, “Such weapons have no place in our security calculations and we have NEVER sought to acquire them,” restating Iran’s position that its nuclear program is not aimed at developing nuclear weapons.
Stronger warnings were issued by Ali Shamkani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Writing on X, Shamkani said:
“A limited strike is an illusion.” He added that “any military action, from America from any origin and at any level, will be considered the start of war, and its response will be immediate, all-out and unprecedented, targeting the heart of Tel Aviv and all supporters of the aggressor.”
US officials continued to comment on Iran’s position. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran’s leadership was at its weakest point. Germany and France also expressed support for efforts within the European Union to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.
At the same time, regional actors including Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia held separate discussions with US and Iranian officials, according to statements from their foreign ministries, as diplomatic contacts continued amid rising tensions.
