The White House has warned Iran that it would be “wise” to reach an agreement with the United States, as President Donald Trump indicated that military action remains an option if diplomacy fails.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration believed Tehran should move quickly to finalise a deal. Her remarks came as indirect negotiations between the two countries resumed under Omani mediation, following months of heightened tension.
President Trump reinforced the warning in a post on his Truth Social platform, suggesting that US forces could be used if Iran does not comply with American demands. The United States has recently increased its military presence in the Middle East, fuelling speculation that contingency plans are being prepared.
US media outlets reported that military planners are readying strike options that could be implemented within days, although no final decision has been publicly confirmed. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed officials, reported that the president has been briefed on a range of potential operations designed to inflict significant damage on Iranian political and military infrastructure.
Diplomatic channels remain open. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Tehran is drafting a framework to guide future negotiations. A second round of talks mediated by Oman took place in Geneva this week, with both sides describing the discussions as constructive but incomplete.
Araghchi said Iran and the United States had agreed on certain guiding principles. However, US Vice President JD Vance indicated that Tehran has yet to acknowledge key American red lines, suggesting substantive gaps remain.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his government does not seek conflict but questioned whether Tehran could accept terms it views as coercive. He reiterated that war should be avoided, while emphasising that Iran would not submit to demands that undermine its sovereignty.
The International Atomic Energy Agency remains involved in monitoring Iran’s nuclear programme, though cooperation has been strained. Araghchi spoke by telephone with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, stressing Iran’s intention to develop a coherent negotiating framework. Tehran has limited some inspector access to sites previously targeted in strikes by Israel and the United States, accusing the agency of bias.
Energy security concerns are again at the forefront as tensions rise. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Washington would prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons “one way or the other”, describing such an outcome as unacceptable.
The renewed diplomatic push follows a failed attempt at negotiations last year, when Israeli strikes on Iranian targets escalated into a 12-day conflict that briefly drew in US forces targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.
Despite the return to talks, both sides are demonstrating military preparedness. The Pentagon has deployed a second aircraft carrier to the region, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln and its air wing operating within striking distance of Iran. Satellite imagery indicates the carrier group is positioned several hundred kilometres from the Iranian coast.
Iran, meanwhile, has launched military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz through its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The waterway is a critical artery for global oil and gas shipments, and Iranian officials have previously threatened to restrict passage during periods of confrontation. State media reported that sections of the strait would be temporarily closed for safety during the drills.
The negotiations are intended to prevent further escalation while addressing concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme and securing relief from US sanctions that have weighed heavily on the Iranian economy. Tehran maintains that discussions must focus solely on nuclear issues, while Washington has previously argued that ballistic missile development and regional security activities should also be addressed.
With diplomatic efforts underway and military forces on alert, the coming days are likely to be decisive in determining whether tensions ease or move toward confrontation.
