President Donald Trump has said Iran wants to make a deal rather than face US military action, despite Tehran's insistence that its missile and defence systems will 'never' be up for negotiation. 'I can say this, they do want to make a deal,' Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday, without providing further details about the military buildup in the Gulf region. He underscored that 'time is running out' for a negotiation with Iran regarding its nuclear program as a significant US naval presence gathers near its borders.
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated that there are currently no plans for talks with the US but emphasized the need for negotiations based on mutual respect. Adding complexity to the situation, the Kremlin announced that the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council met with Russian President Putin to discuss various Middle Eastern and international issues.
Iran has repeatedly asserted that its nuclear program is peaceful, countering accusations from the US and allies about seeking nuclear weapon capabilities. In the midst of this, Trump has warned that military action remains an option if negotiations do not progress, highlighting heightened tensions in the region.