President Donald Trump stated yesterday that Iran is likely to pursue negotiations rather than face military conflict with the United States, despite Iran’s firm stance that its missile capabilities are non-negotiable.
“I believe they are interested in reaching an agreement,” Trump mentioned to reporters at the Oval Office when asked about Iran’s intentions. He also confirmed setting a deadline for Iran to engage in discussions regarding its nuclear and missile programs, without disclosing the specific timeframe.
Referring to the presence of a US naval carrier group near Iran, Trump mentioned, “We have a significant armada approaching Iran at the moment,” expressing hope for a potential deal while acknowledging that the outcome remains uncertain.
Trump pointed to Iran’s recent decision to halt the execution of protesters, following a violent crackdown that reportedly resulted in over 6,000 deaths according to rights groups, as a sign of Tehran’s willingness to engage in negotiations.
Amid concerns among Washington’s regional allies about potential repercussions of a US military strike on Iran, a senior official from the Gulf region emphasized the importance of stability. The official, speaking anonymously, highlighted the need for Iran to take positive actions to achieve a peaceful resolution.
In parallel developments, Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, with Moscow offering mediation between the US and Iran.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Iran’s firm stance that its missile and defense capabilities are not up for negotiation, emphasizing the need for talks to be conducted on an equal basis. Araghchi dismissed the idea of including missile issues in negotiations and ruled out immediate talks with US officials.
According to a report from US news site Axios, any potential deal with Iran would reportedly involve restrictions on Iran’s long-range missiles, removal of enriched uranium, and a ban on independent enrichment. However, experts suggest that linking a nuclear deal with other issues, particularly the ballistic missile program, may present significant challenges due to its critical role in Iran’s defense strategy.
Iran has warned of immediate retaliatory actions through missile strikes against US bases, ships, and allies, including Israel. The head of Iran’s Defence Council, Ali Shamkhani, emphasized Iran’s readiness for various scenarios beyond sea confrontations.
During a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi in Istanbul, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed concerns about Israel advocating for a US military attack on Iran and urged Washington to prevent such escalation.
Furthermore, Iran has accused the US and Israel of instigating protests that erupted in late December due to economic grievances, escalating into violent demonstrations in early January. Human rights organizations report a high death toll from the protests, with conflicting figures between Iranian authorities and independent sources, indicating a grim situation within the country.
