U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Iran is seeking a deal through negotiations to avoid potential U.S. military action.
“I can tell you this: they want to make a deal,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
When asked if he had set a deadline for Iran to enter talks on its nuclear and missile programs, Trump confirmed he had, but did not disclose the timeframe.
“We have a large military force, a fleet—call it what you want—moving toward Iran right now,” he added, referring to U.S. aircraft carriers in the region.
Trump expressed hope for a diplomatic solution: “It’s good if we reach a deal. If we don’t, we’ll see what happens.” He cited Iran’s reported decision to halt executions of protesters—after a crackdown that human rights groups say killed over 6,000 people—as a sign Tehran is willing to engage in talks.
Meanwhile, Iran’s top diplomat reiterated that the country’s defensive and missile systems “will never” be on the negotiation table. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran is ready to begin discussions if they are conducted on the basis of equality, mutual interest, and mutual respect.
Araghchi made these comments during a visit to Turkey, which is leading diplomatic efforts to mediate talks between Tehran and Washington. However, he emphasized that Iran has no plans to meet with U.S. officials for immediate negotiations.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called the resumption of talks over Iran’s nuclear program “vital to reducing regional tensions.” Other regional actors, including Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases, have joined calls for diplomacy.
