Tehran/Washington, Feb 2 (.) US President Donald Trump on Sunday expressed hope that Iran would “make a deal” with Washington, hours after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any conflict initiated by the United States would escalate into a “regional war.”
Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump said the US had deployed significant military assets in the region but preferred a diplomatic solution amid rising tensions.
“We have the biggest, most powerful ships in the world over there, very close, and in a couple of days, hopefully, we’ll make a deal. If we don’t make a deal, then we’ll find out whether or not he was right,” Trump said.
Trump’s remarks came after Khamenei issued a series of posts on X, cautioning Washington against military action.
“The Americans should know if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war,” Khamenei wrote, adding that Iran would not be intimidated by threats involving warships or aircraft.
“That Americans sometimes talk about war , saying we will come with warships and aircraft, is nothing new. The Iranian nation is not affected by such talk. They shouldn’t try to intimidate the Iranian nation with such things,” he added.
Khamenei stated that Iran does not seek conflict but will respond forcefully to aggression and accused the United States of attempting to dominate the country due to its strategic resources and location.
“We are not the initiators of war. We do not seek to oppress anyone. We do not seek to attack any country. However, anyone who seeks to attack or cause harm will face a decisive blow from the Iranian nation,” he stated.
He further criticised historical US influence in Iran, saying “Iran possesses numerous attractions: Its oil, gas, rich minerals, and geographic location are attractive. The US wants to seize control of this country just as they controlled it before.”
“For more than 30 years, the Americans were present in Iran. Iran’s resources, oil, politics, and security were in their hands. Everything was in their hands. Now that their grip has been broken, they’re trying to find a way back. The Iranian nation stands firm, preventing it,” Khamenei added.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran had lost its “trust” in the US as a negotiating partner but remains open to a “fair and equitable” deal over nuclear weapons.
“I’m not concerned about war. What I’m concerned about is miscalculations and military operations based on misinformation and disinformation campaigns. It is obvious to us that there are certain elements, certain parties, who want to drag President Trump into this war for their own benefits. And I think President Trump is wise enough to make a correct decision,” Araghchi told media.
Araghchi added that meaningful negotiations must overcome mistrust, noting that “some intermediators and friendly countries in the region are trying to build confidence. It is difficult, but they are trying.” He said Iran is open to talks if the US accepts a deal that ensures no nuclear weapons while lifting sanctions.
“President Trump said no nuclear weapons, and we fully agree. We fully agree with that. That could be a very good deal. Of course, in return, we expect sanction lifting. That deal is possible,” Araghchi said.
He also warned of the consequences of conflict: “In the previous conflict, we tried to limit the scope of war between Iran and Israel. This time, if it is between Iran and the US, many parts of the region would inevitably be involved, and that could be very dangerous.”
Meanwhile, US military assets, including a “massive Armada” led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, are heading toward Iran, as tensions continue to escalate.
Trump earlier indicated that Iran was willing to negotiate to avert military action, stating: “They do want to make a deal. Hopefully, we’ll make a deal. If we don’t make a deal, we’ll see what happens.”
Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, also confirmed preparations for negotiations are moving forward despite media speculation: “Contrary to the hype of the contrived media war, structural arrangements for negotiations are progressing,” he said.
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