Iran and the United States have confirmed opening lines of communication to work out a deal and avoid military action as tensions rise in the Gulf and regional powers ramp up diplomacy to prevent conflict.
– US President Donald Trump told on Saturday that Iran was “seriously talking” with Washington, hours after Iran’s top national security official said arrangements for negotiations were progressing.
– Trump, speaking on board Air Force One, said he believed Iran should agree to a deal with “no nuclear weapons” but that he did not know if Tehran would sign up to such an accord.
– “But they are talking to us,” he said. “Seriously talking to us.”
– He also referred to the US “armada” heading towards Iran, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, saying “we do have very big, powerful ships heading in that direction”.
– “I hope they negotiate something that’s acceptable,” he added.
– Hours earlier, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, said Tehran was preparing for talks with the US.
– “Contrary to the artificially manufactured media war narrative, the formation of a framework for negotiations is progressing,” he wrote on X.
– The developments come amid weeks of rising tensions, with Trump repeatedly threatening to attack Iran over a crackdown on recent antigovernment protests, and his push to curtail Iran’s nuclear programme.
– The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met Larijani in Tehran on Saturday to discuss “efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region”.
– Sheikh Mohammed reiterated Qatar’s “support for all efforts aimed at reducing tensions and achieving peaceful solutions that enhance security and stability in the region”, the ministry said.
– He also stressed the need for concerted efforts to spare the peoples of the region the consequences of escalation and to continue coordination with brotherly and friendly countries to address differences through diplomatic means.
– Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia have also been engaging in diplomatic efforts to prevent a military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
– Turkiye, which is a member of NATO, shares a border with Iran and opposes any foreign intervention there. It has called for US-Iran dialogue to avoid further destabilisation and has been in touch with both sides to seek a solution.
– Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday that Riyadh would not allow its airspace or territory to be used for military actions against Tehran.