Newsletters
The U.S. and Iran are moving forward in negotiations, with officials on both sides confirming progress despite heightened tensions and mutual threats.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran is "talking to us," as Tehran also acknowledged that structured talks are already underway, dismissing what it described as media-fueled speculation.
Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, stated that "structural arrangements for negotiations are progressing," playing down suggestions of an imminent military confrontation.
The U.S. has deployed a naval flotilla led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to waters near Iran following recent anti-government unrest in the Islamic Republic.
The movement has reignited fears of a direct conflict, especially as Iranian authorities warned of possible retaliatory missile strikes targeting U.S. bases and allies in the region, including Israel.
Iranian Army Chief Amir Hatami declared that the nation’s armed forces are "at full defensive and military readiness," warning that any attack would threaten the security of the U.S., the region, and Israel.
He emphasized that Iran’s nuclear technology and expertise "cannot be eliminated."
While U.S. officials have suggested Iran will eventually reach a deal on its nuclear and missile programs, Tehran has maintained that it is open to discussions on atomic issues only if its missile capabilities remain off the table.
The United States and Israel have repeatedly expressed concerns about Iran’s ballistic missile development, citing it as a destabilizing factor in the Middle East.
However, Iranian officials have linked missile capacity to national defense and reject its inclusion in diplomatic negotiations.
Qatar’s Foreign Minister and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani traveled to Tehran to mediate, according to Qatar’s foreign ministry.
The visit aimed to de-escalate rising tensions between Iran and the United States.
On the international stage, the U.S. designation of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization in 2019 was echoed recently by the European Union, drawing sharp condemnation from Tehran.
Meanwhile, the IRGC conducted a two-day live-fire naval exercise in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global energy shipments. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) warned Iran against unsafe behavior near American forces.
The drills come amid growing international concern about the security of the global oil supply chain and broader regional stability.
In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized U.S. warnings over IRGC’s naval exercises, stating, "The U.S. military is now attempting to dictate how our powerful armed forces should conduct target practice in their own turf."
Domestically, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged public frustration stemming from recent anti-government protests that began in late December over living costs.
He urged the administration to "serve the people," following the unrest, which Iranian officials attributed to foreign interference.
Official figures state that 3,117 people died in the nationwide protests, while the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports 6,713 deaths, including 137 children.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
