Iran may oust inspectors and conceal uranium, ex-security chief warns

Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said on Thursday that Iran’s naval and defense capabilities are at their strongest level to date, amid rising tensions over the possibility of a military attack against the country.

“Our maritime power and defensive capabilities are stronger than ever,” Irani said. “Today, our enemies see the Islamic Republic’s armed forces and strategic navy as a superpower.”

Referring to perceived threats at sea, Irani said: “The enemy seeks direct confrontation at sea, but with divine support, we will defeat and drown the devil, just as Pharaoh was drowned.”

US lawmakers from both parties reacted to President Donald Trump’s approach to talks with Iran, with some expressing concern over the scope of his objectives and the role of allies in the process, The Hill reported Thursday.

Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), chair of the Republican Study Committee, said any agreement must include the complete dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program. “A firm commitment, verifiable and permanent, is the only acceptable outcome,” he said.

Some lawmakers also questioned whether the White House is coordinating closely with Israel, which remains wary of any US engagement with Tehran.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the process appeared to bypass key allies. “I worry a little bit that this seems to be done, almost going around Israel,” he said.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) expressed doubt over the effectiveness of any verification mechanism. “It would be hard to do,” he said, though he added he could support an agreement if verification was possible.

A senior Iranian military adviser said on Thursday that Iran’s armed forces are prepared to respond forcefully to any potential military strike, amid renewed threats from the United States.

Amir Nasser Arasteh, deputy head of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s military advisory group, dismissed the warnings from Washington as empty rhetoric.

“The threats from global arrogance and the US president will never be carried out, and we are ready to respond to them,” Arasteh said, according to state media. “As a veteran, I firmly say these threats will not materialize.”

He added that Iran’s armed forces are fully prepared to confront any military action. “Our readiness goes beyond these threats, and above all, it is the faith of our soldiers that will answer any aggression,” he said.

Arasteh said forces have been placed on alert to respond “with power and decisiveness.”

Iranian state TV reported on Tuesday that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is also leading Iran’s negotiating team, was instructed not to appear in any photographs alongside the US envoy during ongoing nuclear talks.

According to IRIB’s “Foreign Policy” program, directives issued for Saturday’s negotiations prohibit the publication of photos showing Araghchi alongside Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy and head of Washington’s delegation.

A senior Iranian lawmaker said on Thursday that Tehran will not engage in direct talks with the United States, insisting that any upcoming negotiations will be conducted through intermediaries.

Esmail Kowsari, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said the Islamic Republic’s stance in the talks is unchanged.

“Our positions are clear, and we will not back down under any circumstances, as we believe the Iranian people are being wronged by the current sanctions,” Kowsari told state media.

He added that, following discussions with the foreign minister, any future negotiations with Washington would be “completely indirect.”

“There must be a third-party mediator — direct negotiations will absolutely not happen,” he said.

Former Iranian security chief Ali Shamkhani wrote on X on Thursday that continued foreign threats and the prospect of a military attack on Iran “could lead to deterrent actions such as expelling IAEA inspectors and cutting cooperation,” adding that moving enriched materials to “secure and undisclosed locations” may also be considered.

Some Israeli security officials believe this weekend’s nuclear talks between the US and Iran could undermine what they see as a rare window for military strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, The Telegraph reported on Thursday.

According to the report, figures within Israel’s security establishment fear the negotiations may “tie its hands” just as Iran is perceived to be increasingly vulnerable. Giora Eiland, former head of Israel’s National Security Council, said, “Many Israeli officials are saying that this is just the right time because we have a window where Iran is much more vulnerable.”

He pointed to recent developments, including the destruction of Iran’s Russian-supplied S-300 missile system and favorable airspace conditions over Syria, which he said might not last. Eiland added that retaliation from Hezbollah was considered unlikely at the moment.

“The talks lessen the possibility of military strikes while they are going on,” he said, suggesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visibly disappointed by the timing of the negotiations, which were announced while he sat next to Donald Trump in Washington.

The Telegraph reported that Trump did not set preconditions for the talks, such as requiring Iran to suspend its nuclear activities. This has added to concerns in Israel that Tehran might use the negotiations to stall while advancing its program.

Some Israeli experts fear the indirect format of the discussions—preferred by Iran—may allow Tehran to prolong talks without making real concessions, while continuing to rebuild its military and nuclear capabilities.

The main headline on the front page of a conservative Iranian newspaper captures the national mood ahead of the upcoming Iran-US talks in Oman: “The Saturday of Hope and Doubt.”

Across two dozen newspapers on Wednesday, the sentiment was echoed in varying language—hope for a breakthrough tempered by uncertainty over whether the two sides will meet face to face and make tangible progress.

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Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Iran still holds powerful options despite US pressure, after President Donald Trump threatened military action if diplomacy fails.

“Trump’s mistake is thinking Iran has no cards on the table,” Rouhani said, according to ILNA news agency. “America had the economic pressure as a card, and it has already used it. Right now, they have only one other card left.”

“Iran, contrary to US beliefs, has at least four important cards on the table,” Rouhani added. He did not say what those cards were, only that “these can be explained at the right time.”

The Trump administration has begun internal discussions on possible military targets inside Iran, including nuclear and missile-related facilities, current and former US officials told the Free Press in a report published Thursday.

According to the report, potential strike targets include Iran’s main uranium enrichment sites, ballistic missile and drone-production facilities, and, in a more aggressive scenario, infrastructure critical to Tehran’s stability—such as the oil-export hub at Kharg Island and command centers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Officials cited in the article said a US strike on IRGC assets could risk igniting further domestic unrest in Iran, which has faced waves of protests in recent years over economic hardship and social issues.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said it was up to Iran to interpret whether the recent deployment of American B-2 bombers was a message, as he expressed hope for a peaceful resolution to nuclear talks with Tehran.

“We’ll let them decide,” Hegseth told reporters when asked if the move was meant to signal Tehran. “It’s a great asset... it sends a message to everybody.”

In March, up to six B-2 bombers were sent to the US-British base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, US officials told Reuters. The deployment came amid a bombing campaign in Yemen and rising tensions with Iran.

The B-2s, which have stealth capability and can carry the US's most powerful bombs including nuclear weapons, are rarely used. The Air Force has just 20 in its fleet.

“President Trump’s been clear ... Iran should not have a nuclear bomb,” Hegseth said. “We very much hope – the President is focused on doing that peacefully.”

Iran’s nuclear chief announced late Wednesday that Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is expected to visit Tehran around April 20, likely to address unresolved issues related to monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities.

Mohammad Eslami gave no details about the purpose of Grossi’s trip, but the visit comes as Iran continues to restrict the UN watchdog’s access to its nuclear facilities—a limitation in place since 2021. The timing suggests a possible link to the upcoming nuclear negotiations with the United States, set to begin Saturday.

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US President Donald Trump said military action would "absolutely" be the alternative to a nuclear deal and that Israel would lead any attack should talks set to begin on Saturday fail.

"It's a start, we have a little time," he told reporters in the White House on Wednesday, referring to the negotiations in Oman. "But we don't have much time because we're not going to let them have a nuclear weapon."

"(Tehran is) in a rough situation - rough, rough regime - but they understand, and I'm not asking for much. They can't have a nuclear weapon," Trump added.

"With Iran, yeah, if it requires military, we're going to have military. Israel will obviously be very much involved in that. It'll be the leader of that. But nobody leads us. We do what we want to do."

The official website of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei posted a video on Wednesday titled "A strong Iran with an advanced nuclear industry" highlighting a past speech he made praising Tehran's capabilities.

"If you want a strong Iran—anyone who loves Iran, anyone who supports the Islamic Republic, anyone who cares for the nation and desires the strength of this country—must value and respect this area of scientific, research, industrial, and practical effort taking place here," Khamenei said in the June 2023 remarks.

"Everybody has to affirm that the nuclear industry is one of the pillars of the country’s status, strength and power."

The United States told Israel about pending talks with Iran before they were officially announced by US President Donald Trump on Monday, Axios reported.

"Netanyahu told security cabinet ministers that Israel was informed in advance about the talks between the U.S. and Iran, an Israeli official said," Axios reporter Barak Ravid wrote on X on Wednesday.

US Central Intelligence Agency director John Ratcliffe has visited Israel and with met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the head of the Mossad spy agency David Barnea, Netanyahu's office announced on X on Wednesday.

State department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said any outside support for the Iran-aligned Houthi movement American forces are bombing was unacceptable.

"The United States will not tolerate any country or commercial entity providing support to foreign terrorist organizations, such as the Houthis, including offloading ships and provisioning oil at Houthi-controlled ports. Such actions risk violating US law," she said in a statement on Wednesday.

The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on five Iranian companies and one individual for their alleged support of Iran’s nuclear program, the Treasury Department said.

The action targets entities linked to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and its subsidiary, the Iran Centrifuge Technology Company (TESA), both of which play key roles in Iran’s uranium enrichment and nuclear development efforts.

The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated the firms under Executive Order 13382, which aims to curb the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

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Jailed activist Mehdi Mahmoudian warned in a letter to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that public mistrust has left Iran too fractured to support any government stance in a possible future conflict or negotiations.

“If war breaks out, the enemy won’t need to attack from outside — you’ve sown hatred in hearts, and this land will collapse from within,” he wrote from Evin Prison.

Mahmoudian criticized Iran’s leadership for isolating the country and weakening national unity, saying: “From the families of those executed, to ethnic minorities whose languages are banned, to a youth fleeing the country — who do you expect to defend Iran?”

Mahmoudian dismissed both diplomacy and displays of strength as solutions: “Today, neither the JCPOA, nor negotiations, nor the illusion of power in your mind can save us. Only your unconditional retreat from power, handing it to the people, and accepting that no one lives forever, can save Iran.”

“Otherwise,” he warned, “what will remain is not your system, nor even our country — only a bitter ruin of a nation once called Iran.”

Former vice president Eshaq Jahangiri voiced support for ongoing talks between Iran and the United States, urging unity behind the country's negotiating strategy.

“At this stage, we must support these decisions, especially the policies the Supreme Leader has adopted,” he said on Wednesday.

Jahangiri also called for backing the negotiating team and warned against partisan moves that could weaken Iran’s broader diplomatic efforts.

Former deputy parliament speaker Ali Motahari called for the inclusion of senior current and former officials in Iran’s negotiating team with the United States, now led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

“I suggest appointing Mr. Zarif, Salehi, Ali Larijani, and Takht-Ravanchi to the delegation to benefit from their experience and reach a fair agreement,” he wrote on X.

Javad Zarif is the architect of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal and a former foreign minister; Ali-Akbar Salehi is a former head of the Atomic Energy Organization; Ali Larijani is a former parliament speaker; and Majid Takht-Ravanchi is currently deputy foreign minister for political affairs.

An Iranian lawmaker said in parliament on Wednesday that the country possesses the nuclear knowledge and enriched uranium needed to construct several nuclear weapons.

“We have acquired nuclear expertise and possess the fuel and enriched uranium needed to produce multiple nuclear weapons. The timeframe until we can build them is shorter than one might imagine,” Hossein Emami-Rad said.

An Iranian lawmaker has raised concerns over the contradictory messaging emanating from within the country as indirect talks with the United States are set to proceed.

Mohammad-Mehdi Shahriari, a member of the National Security Committee, questioned why Kayhan -- a media outlet affiliated with the Supreme Leader -- would issue a threat against the life of the US president while Khamenei has authorized the upcoming discussions.

"When the Supreme Leader has permitted indirect negotiations, why does one media outlet say that Trump will be assassinated? What does this mean?" Shahriari asked, highlighting the apparent disconnect between the official approval for talks and the aggressive rhetoric from the hardline publication.

Shahriari's remarks referenced a recent rhetorical column by the Kayhan daily, whose editor is appointed by Khamenei, which called for the assassination of Trump for the 2020 killing of Revolutionary Guard commander Qasem Soleimani.

Iran’s former national security chief said the country's nuclear capability forms a complete and irreversible chain, from mining to final product, emphasizing that is has vital role in medicine, energy, agriculture, and the environment.

“Iran’s peaceful nuclear capability, is a complete chain from mine to the final product; not just a scientific achievement but also a vital driver for medicine, energy, agriculture and environment,” said Ali Shamkhani on X. “This national technology is stabilized, irreversible and indestructible.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei on Wednesday marked National Nuclear Technology Day by defending the country’s atomic program as peaceful and nationally driven.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program is a symbol of national will and the result of the Iranian nation’s effort, innovation, and perseverance,” Baghaei wrote on X.

He said the technology is now “an indigenous knowledge serving the country’s progress, development, and scientific strength,” and added: “Protecting the achievements of the Iranian nation in the field of nuclear science and its peaceful applications is a national responsibility.”

Iran's former government spokesman said that the Supreme Leader would undoubtedly authorize direct negotiations with the United States if he determined it to be the best way to secure Iran's rights.

Regarding the ongoing debate over the format of the upcoming talks, Mohammad-Bagher Nobakht said, "Undoubtedly, if the Supreme Leader determines that our rights can be better secured or realized through direct negotiations, he will certainly say so."

Speaking about the current indirect format, which has been sanctioned by Ali Khamenei, he added, "Today, we should not be too fixated on the method of negotiation (whether it is direct or indirect)."

"Freezing on the method of negotiation will not get us very far in achieving our goals."

A new analysis by the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs says Iran's nuclear program remains an unaddressed existential threat, contending that delaying or deterring Tehran is no longer sufficient.

The think-tank argues that Israel must spearhead a coalition, employing either diplomatic or military means, or a combination of both, to dismantle Iran's nuclear capabilities.

“Yet one existential threat remains unaddressed: Iran’s nuclear program. It is no longer enough to delay or deter. Israel must lead a coalition – diplomatic or military – to either dismantle Iran’s nuclear capability by agreement, by force, or both.”

Gholamhossein Karbaschi, the former mayor of Tehran and a reformist politician, defended the composition of Iran's negotiating team for talks with the United States, led by Abbas Araghchi.

In an interview with the Khabar Online news website, Karbaschi addressed the objections of some officials and media outlets within Iran to negotiating with the US, saying, "The Islamic Republic's capacity is what it is; we can't import diplomats from abroad."

An Iranian lawmaker strongly opposed the upcoming talks between Iran and the United States, labeling the engagement as sitting with the killers of Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani.

Mohammadreza Ahmadi voiced his vehement opposition, saying, "Sitting with the killers of IRGC commander Soleimani and thousands of martyrs has no meaning... We are sitting at a negotiating table with the Americans?! Be careful, we hope you come to your senses and do not continue this negotiation."

Soleimani was assassinated by a US drone strike in Iraq in 2020, where Trump was the president.

Russia said on Wednesday that military action against Iran by its adversaries would be illegal and counterproductive to achieving peace.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters that bombing Iran would not lead to a peaceful resolution and expressed Moscow's hope that upcoming talks between the United States and Iran could help avert a crisis.

Zakharova added that the world was weary of what she described as endless threats against Iran, and that Russia supported a sensible approach to resolving the dispute over Tehran's nuclear program.

Separately, the Kremlin called for a focus on diplomatic engagement rather than actions that could escalate tensions surrounding Tehran's nuclear program.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Iranian authorities were taking preventative measures amid heightened rhetoric on the nuclear issue.

Addressing a National Nuclear Technology Day ceremony, Iran's president said again that the country is not pursuing nuclear weapons, while stressing the need for nuclear science and energy.

"We are not pursuing a nuclear bomb. In this country, who has authority above the Supreme Leader? He has officially issued a fatwa declaring the construction of a nuclear bomb forbidden."

The president also addressed repeated calls for monitoring, saying, "They constantly say that we must have verification. You have verified a hundred times, verify a thousand times as well; but we need nuclear science and nuclear energy."

Iran's nuclear program has advanced to a stage where it could potentially enrich sufficient uranium for several nuclear fission weapons within weeks.

Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile remains under monitoring and verification by the UN’s nuclear watchdog, but the agency has no longer daily access to the Natanz and Fordow enrichment facilities.

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An Iranian analyst described the upcoming talks between Iran and the United States in Oman as highly sensitive and potentially transformative, suggesting their primary aim is to resolve decades of hostility between Tehran and Washington.

In a commentary, Ahmad Zeidabadi said the Muscat negotiations, involving Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff, differ significantly from previous engagements, which focused on technicalities or were seen as delaying tactics.

He said the success or failure of the talks have immense consequences.

Zeidabadi said that US President Donald Trump's primary objective has two levels: first, to end the long-standing animosity and foster mutual cooperation; and second, if normalization is rejected by Iran, to neutralize technological and military capabilities that Washington perceives as a threat.

Iran's parliamentary National Security Committee warned on Wednesday that any threat to its nuclear program would face a serious response, coinciding with the country’s National Nuclear Technology Day.

The committee said Iran has the right to peaceful nuclear technology under the NPT, pointing to its numerous benefits and criticizing the IAEA for alleged bias.

It urged adversaries to abandon threats and fulfill promises, while calling on the IAEA chief to be impartial.

A hardline Iranian newspaper, Javan, cautioned on Wednesday that any discussion of Iran's missile program in upcoming talks with the United States would immediately end negotiations, while outlining a potential scenario where Iran might reduce uranium enrichment in exchange for the complete lifting of sanctions.

"Regarding missiles, Iran will certainly not start any discussion... This is where the negotiations can end, and perhaps America included it in the discussions for this very purpose, which is to make the negotiations fruitless!" read the editorial by Javan, which is seen as close to the Revolutionary Guards.

On Tehran-backed militias, the newspaper highlighted Iran's stance that it does not have proxy forces and suggested Iran would likely ask the US to negotiate directly with those groups.

Predicting the course of the negotiations, Javan wrote that Iran might first agree to reduce its enrichment levels, which it said should not be seen as a retreat.

The paper said that maintaining the nuclear industry and enrichment to levels meeting non-military needs has been Iran's long-standing position.

In return for reduced enrichment and increased inspections by the UN nuclear watchdog, Iran should demand the complete removal of sanctions, Javan argued.

Iran's has enriched of uranium to up to 60% fissile purity, close to the 90% needed for a bomb. Tehran denies seeking a bomb, but the United States, Israel and Western powers doubt its intentions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saidthat the upcoming discussions with the United States, led by US envoy Steve Witkoff, will solely focus on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

"The nuclear issue, in the sense of clarifying and assuring the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of the cruel sanctions, is the only topic of discussion," Araghchi said regarding his meeting with Witkoff.

Araghchi emphasized that the talks scheduled for Saturday in Oman present "a new opportunity for diplomacy and a test to gauge America's seriousness; a country with a long history of bad faith and unilateralism in its record."

A prominent Iranian analyst and former diplomat hailed the upcoming talks between Iran and the United States as a potential turning point in relations, while cautioning about the challenges ahead, particularly from hardliners and the limited timeframe.

In an editorial in the daily Donya-e-Eqtesad, Kourosh Ahmadi, a former Iranian diplomat at the United Nations, wrote that the confirmation of talks by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi following Donald Trump's announcement should be seen as the start of a new era in Iran-US relations and the nuclear negotiations.

Ahmadi expressed optimism that the Foreign Ministry is leading the talks, hoping it will develop principled and logical plans, standing firm against vested interests and what he called "delusional" influential figures, a tacit reference to the hardliners.

He stressed that avoiding war and its immense damage should be the top priority, leaving diplomacy and negotiation as the only viable path.

Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff would probably travel to Tehran if invited, Washington Post reported citing administration officials.

Witkoff will lead the US delegation to the nuclear talks with Iran slated for Saturday in Oman.

“If the talks aren’t direct, Witkoff might not go to Oman,” the report added, citing an administration official.

Iran has transferred long-range missiles to its proxy forces in Iraq for the first time, The Times reported on Tuesday.

The new batch of weapons was transferred to Shia militant groups in Iraq last week, the report said citing regional intelligence involved in monitoring the nearly 1,000-mile border between the countries.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the Libyan model for dismantling Iran’s nuclear program during a recent meeting with Donald Trump, The Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday citing Israeli officials.

The model, which led to Libya’s full nuclear disarmament in the early 2000s, would require Tehran to eliminate its enrichment infrastructure entirely.

However, according to i24NEWS, Trump gave no assurance he would adopt the model, and “his policy on this matter remains unclear.”

“The chances of the Iranians agreeing to a nuclear deal based on the Libyan model are low,” the Post reported citing one Israeli official.

Elliott Abrams, who was Trump’s special envoy to Iran during his first term, told the Post that talks could serve as a prelude to military action.

“It’s useful to have a negotiation, go through it, watch it fail, so that’s your explanation of why you had to use military force,” he added.

The first round of US-Iran nuclear talks is scheduled for Saturday in Oman.

US President Donald Trump has indicated to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that there are 60 days from Saturday allocated for nuclear talks with Iran, Israel's Channel 12 reported on Tuesday.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on Tuesday a meeting on Saturday with Iranian officials in Oman would focus primarily on nuclear issues, not Iran’s regional activities.

“This is not a negotiation,” she told reporters in Washington DC on Tuesday, calling it “a meeting”.

Bruce acknowledged questions about Iran’s missile program and support for regional armed groups but said: “There are things being negotiated in that regard,” while this session would be “a matter of determining what’s possible.”

She added that while Trump is committed to diplomacy, the outcome depends on Iran. “If they don't want to, it will be very, very bad for them.”

Asked about Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s assertion that the talks on Saturday would be indirect, Bruce said, “That’s nice for the Iranians. I would refer back to the President of the United States, Donald John Trump.”

In his talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “Trump said Iran will not have nuclear weapons. Military nuclear facilities, no; civilian nuclear, yes," Jerusalem Post reported citing a source familiar with the details of the discussions.

"Iran would be allowed to maintain a civilian nuclear program for electricity generation, such as the Bushehr reactor, even if it must completely dismantle its current nuclear program," the report added.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Takht-Ravanchi, a senior member of Iran's nuclear negotiating team, met with Olof Skoog, the newly appointed deputy EU foreign policy chief, in Vienna.

Skoog has replaced Enrique Mora, the Spanish diplomat who headed EU delegations in previous rounds of talks over Iran's disputed nuclear program.

The Iranian and European diplomats "discussed the latest developments regarding the nuclear issue and the prospect of negotiations, and it was decided that talks between the parties will continue at various levels," Iran's Foreign Ministry said later in the day.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt warned that dire consequences await Iran if a nuclear deal is not reached with the United States.

"They have a choice to make. You can strike a deal with the President, you can negotiate, or there will be hell to pay," Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday.

She said the talk will be direct when asked about assertions by Iranian officials who maintain that the talks in Oman would be indirect.

Iran can expect tighter sanctions if it does not come to an agreement with President Donald Trump on its nuclear program, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Tuesday.

"So absolutely, I would expect a very tight, sanctions on Iran, and hopefully drive them to abandon their nuclear program," Wright told CNBC.

"The German Foreign Office remains deeply concerned about Iran’s nuclear program," German diplomatic sources told Iran International.

Iran’s recent nuclear escalation has made a diplomatic resolution “all the more urgent – especially in view of the expiry of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 in October,” according to the sources.

“In recent months, Iran has continued to escalate, including by massively expanding its enrichment capacities,” the sources said, adding that the E3 (Germany, France, and the UK) have held multiple rounds of talks with Tehran to press international concerns.

The sources also said Berlin “welcomes the fact that there are now also communication channels between the US and Iran.”

Iran’s foreign minister has questioned whether US President Donald Trump would risk igniting a regional war with Iran, days before talks between the two sides are due to take place in Oman.

Recent exchanges between Tehran and Washington were “a genuine attempt to clarify positions,” and not merely symbolic, said Abbas Araghchi in an opinion piece published Tuesday in The Washington Post.

“It is hard to imagine President Trump wanting to become another US president mired in a catastrophic war in the Middle East — a conflict that would quickly extend across the region and cost exponentially more than the trillions of taxpayer dollars that his predecessors burned in Afghanistan and Iraq,” Araghchi wrote.

He confirmed that Iran remains open to indirect negotiations and said that a diplomatic path is still possible. “Our proposal for indirect negotiations remains on the table. We believe that if there is true will, there is always a way forward,” he added.

The talks, scheduled for Saturday in Oman, come amid lingering distrust between the two sides and competing expectations over what a potential agreement might require.

Israel and the US "agree that Iran will not have a nuclear arsenal. This can be achieved through an agreement, but only if it follows the Libya model—going in, destroying the facilities, dismantling all the equipment under US supervision, carried out by the US," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday.

In a video message before leaving Washington, DC, he added that if such an agreement does not happen and the talks are merely dragged out, "the option is military."

"Everyone understands that, and Donald especially agrees."

"Trump threatened to strike Iran, but he aligns more with the dovish camp that favors a diplomatic solution," Axios reported on Tuesday.

"Witkoff and VP Vance also believe a deal with Iran is possible and preferable," the report said citing a source familiar with their thinking.

Witkoff will lead the US delegation in the upcoming nuclear talks with Iran, slated to be held in Oman on Saturday.

China called on the United States Tuesday to demonstrate sincerity in the upcoming nuclear talks with Iran.

"As the country that unilaterally withdrew from the comprehensive agreement on the Iran nuclear issue and caused the current situation, the US should demonstrate political sincerity (and)... mutual respect," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Tuesday.

Washington should "participate in dialogue and consultation, and at the same time stop its wrong practice of using force to exert extreme pressure," Lin added."China will continue to maintain communication with all relevant parties, actively promote peace and dialogue and push for a diplomatic solution at an early date.”

Iranian officials conveyed to Reuters on Tuesday a palpable wariness and deep-seated suspicion regarding Washington's intentions, tempering expectations for significant progress in the upcoming talks with the US.

In Tehran, US President Donald Trump's warnings are seen as a way to box the Islamic Republic into accepting concessions in the talks Trump demands or face air strikes, Reuters quoted three Iranian officials as saying.

The officials added that Washington wanted to push other issues too, including Iranian influence across the Middle East and its ballistic missiles program, which they said were off the table.

"Trump wants a new deal: end Iran's regional influence, dismantle its nuclear program, and halt its missile work. These are unacceptable to Tehran. Our nuclear program cannot be dismantled," one of the officialssaid.

"Our defense is non-negotiable. How can Tehran disarm when Israel has nuclear warheads? Who protects us if Israel or others strike?" Reuters quoted another Iranian official as saying.

Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) would have taken two decades to achieve, if at all, had it relied on indirect negotiations, highlighting the necessity of direct talks with foreign ministers.

"If the JCPOA negotiations were to be indirect, we would not have reached the JCPOA in two years, let alone twenty years," Rouhani said in comments reported by Iranian news outlet Entekhab. He emphasized that direct engagement with foreign ministers was crucial to the agreement.

Rouhani, who was president during the JCPOA talks, acknowledged that the current circumstances surrounding potential negotiations with the United States are different and require a different strategy.

"We hope that with the efforts of the esteemed 14th government and the guidance of the Supreme Leader, we will achieve results and remove the shadow of war from the country and succeed in the negotiations. The issue of economic sanctions is important for our region and country," Rouhani added.

Russia said on Tuesday that it would not be obligated to provide military assistance to Iran in the event of a US military attack, while emphasizing its commitment to de-escalating regional tensions.

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko told Russian media that a potential US strike on Iran would have severe consequences for the Middle East.

However, Rudenko stressed that while Moscow would work to resolve any conflict and ease tensions, a military alliance with Tehran did not necessitate Russian military intervention in such a scenario.

"In the case of a US attack on Iran, Moscow would not be obligated to provide military assistance to Tehran, but would take all measures to resolve the conflict and eliminate tensions," Rudenko was quoted as saying.

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif expressed optimism on Tuesday regarding upcoming indirect talks between Iran and the United States, urging the US delegation to demonstrate the same determination as their Iranian counterparts.

In an X post referencing current Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who will lead the Iranian team in the Oman discussions, Zarif said, “The Iranian delegation, led by FM Araghchi, has already proven its capability and determination to reach mutually beneficial agreements.

Zarif, who played a key role in negotiating the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, added a note of caution and expectation for the US side.

"If the US team can exhibit the same qualities, a deal resulting in a better future is within reach," he said. “The ball is in US court.”

Representatives from Iran, Russia, and China began a trilateral meeting behind closed doors in Moscow on Tuesday, with no press access, according to Iranian state media.

The meeting, which started on Tuesday afternoon, was previously announced by Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei.

Baghaei said on Monday that the discussions would be held at an expert level and would focus on the Iranian nuclear program, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

According to the spokesman, the Iranian delegation consists of mid-level representatives and legal experts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The specific agenda and expected duration of the trilateral meeting were not disclosed.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said again on Tuesday that Tehran will only engage in indirect talks with the United States, rejecting any attempts by Washington to impose its will through pressure and threats.

Speaking to Iranian media, Araghchi said, "The format we prefer is indirect negotiations, and our reasons are clear. If they want to impose their will through pressure and threats, that is not negotiation; that is dictation."

"The format of the negotiations, whether direct or indirect, isn't, in my view, the most important thing." He added, "What really matters is whether the talks are effective, the seriousness and intentions of both sides, and their commitment to reaching an agreement."

Araghchi, who is slated to lead the Iranian delegation in upcoming discussions in Oman, argued that the indirect format is more conducive to effective and fruitful negotiations.

He pointed to historical precedent and the ongoing indirect talks between Russia and Ukraine as examples.

He firmly dismissed reports in foreign media suggesting a two-stage process involving initial indirect talks followed by direct engagement. "The news in foreign media about the negotiations initially being indirect and then direct is baseless, and we have no such agreement with the other side.”

Iran’s currency strengthened modestly on Tuesday, recovering from historic lows as anticipation grew over high-level indirect talks with the United States scheduled to take place this weekend in Oman.

The rial, which hit a record low of 1,050,000 per US dollar last month, bounced back to about 960,000 rials on Tuesday amid growing anticipation of renewed diplomacy between Tehran and Washington.

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As indirect talks with the US loom, an Iranian lawmaker said on Tuesday that no system can be toppled by force, warning against a perceived "surrender or war" ultimatum.

“Negotiations with the enemy will begin on Saturday. He (Trump) has said either surrender or war and bloodshed. The enemy is pinning its hopes on internal factors and its agents, otherwise no system has fallen or will fall with bombs and missiles,” lawmaker Salar Velayatmadar said in parliament.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Russia supports both direct and indirect talks between Iran and the US over Tehran's nuclear program, as they could lead to a de-escalation of tensions between the two sides.

In a call with reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov again voiced Russia's support for a diplomatic and political settlement.

Policies pursued by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are pushing Iran towards developing nuclear weapons, according to Mohammadreza Sabbaghian, a member of the Iranian parliament.

Sabbaghian also warned Iranian diplomats to not be deceived by what he described as Trump's "Carrot and stick" approach, and that Trumps ear is to the mouth of the Israeli prime minister.

"Diplomats, decision-makers, remember: in foreign relations, a wise person isn't fooled twice by the same trick. Mr. Pezeshkian,don't be swayed by Trump's empty promises or intimidated by his threats; he's clearly listening to Netanyahu and the Zionists. The solution to our economic problems lies within our own country."

He added that, “Diplomats, understand this: the United States objects to our defense and missile capabilities... It opposes our nuclear technology and enrichment... Recognize that America's fundamental issue is with our system's independence and our unyielding leadership. Why fail to grasp this? Don't be fooled."

Negotiations between Tehran and Washington will be held indirectly in Oman, according to Fatemeh Mohajerani, the spokesperson for Iranian government.

Mohajerani emphasized that Iran believes in negotiation if conducted with respect.

"In the negotiation, what is important for the people and the national interests will be our focus," she said.

Remarks by US President Donald Trump of an imminent direct meeting with high-ranking Iranian officials are a "sophisticated and calculated psychological operation" aimed at influencing public opinion, according to an analysis published by Nournews, a news outlet reportedly close to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

The analysis, run by Nournews, said that Trump’s assertion that high-level negotiations were underway and a significant direct meeting with Iran was imminent is not reflective of diplomatic reality but rather an attempt to engineer public perception and advance a narrative war.

The Iranian outlet characterized Trump's media maneuver as part of a "narrative war" in US foreign policy. It suggested that by claiming direct talks, Trump seeks to seize the diplomatic initiative and portray Iran as inflexible and opposed to dialogue.

Nournews further argued that this tactic serves Trump’s political interests domestically and acts as a tool for exerting political pressure regionally and internationally, particularly after global criticism of US tariff policies.

In this context, the primary goal is not to reach an agreement but to establish the US as the "proactive" and "innovative" party in resolving conflicts, a narrative promoted through extensive media coverage from sources close to the White House, the analysis said.

Nournews concluded that the contradiction between the White House’s media claims and Iran’s official stance indicates a lack of necessary groundwork for genuine diplomacy.

Oman's Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi will play a mediating role in indirect talks between Iran and the United States scheduled for Saturday, according to Nournews, an Iranian news outlet close to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Donald Trump’s Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff will lead the Iranian and US delegations in the Saturday talks in Oman, Axios and Iranian media outlets reported.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the country will engage in high-level negotiations with the Trump administration in Oman on Saturday but insisted that the talks will be “indirect”.

“It’s as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America's court,” he said Monday.

Earlier in the day, The New York Times cited three Iranian officials as saying, “Iran has told Washington it is open and willing to hold direct talk if the first round goes well.”

"Trump's remarks about direct talks with Iran came after the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said no direct negotiations are currently taking place, and if talks do occur, they will be conducted solely through indirect channels," Nour News, which is affiliated with Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said on Monday.

"From a strategic standpoint, Trump’s move should be evaluated within the framework of a complex and well-designed psychological operation aimed at influencing both domestic and international public opinion."

The report said Trump's remarks are "aimed at portraying the United States as the 'eager party' for dialogue, while shifting the blame for any lack of negotiations onto Iran."

"I think if the talks aren't successful with Iran, I think Iran is going to be in great danger ... because they can't have a nuclear weapon. You know, it's not a complicated formula. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. That's all there is," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday.

"If the talks aren't successful, I actually think it'll be a very bad day for Iran if that's the case."

US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Tehran set for Saturday will proceed at senior levels.

"We're dealing with the Iranians. We have a very big meeting on Saturday, and we're dealing with them directly," he told reporters at the White House on Monday.

"You know, a lot of people say, oh, maybe you're going through surrogates, or you're not dealing directly. You're dealing through other countries. No, we're dealing with them directly."

"We're meeting, very importantly, on Saturday at almost the highest level. We'll see how it works out."

The United States has begun direct talks with Iran over its nuclear program and a meeting is set for Saturday, US President Donald Trump said on Monday.

"We're having direct talks with Iran, and they've started. It'll go on Saturday. We have a very big meeting, and we'll see what can happen," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

"I think everybody agrees that doing a deal would be preferable to doing the obvious. And the obvious is not something that I want to be involved with, or, frankly, that Israel wants to be involved with, if they can avoid it," Trump added, sitting alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Hopefully those talks will be successful, and I think would be in Iran's best interests, if they are successful."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will seek during his visit to Washington to persuade the Trump administration to push for the complete dismantling of Iran’s uranium enrichment program, diplomatic sources in the Middle East told Iran International.

Israel believes that if the Islamic Republic is allowed to retain even a small part of its nuclear program, the sources added, it could rapidly resume enrichment once Trump’s presidency ends or anytime it deems conditions favorable.

The diplomats told Iran International that Israel assesses that Tehran’s sole aim in pursuing talks with the United States is to preserve its enrichment program.

Netanyahu will not advise American officials against engaging in negotiations with Iran, the diplomats added, but he will urge them to make any talks conditional on the enrichment program's total end.

Influential conservative commentator Tucker Carlson said on Monday that the United States could not afford a war with Iran which it would lose.

"Whatever you think of tariffs, it’s clear that now is the worst possible time for the United States to participate in a military strike on Iran. We can’t afford it. Thousands of Americans would die," the former Fox News host wrote on X.

"We’d lose the war that follows. Nothing would be more destructive to our country. And yet we’re closer than ever, thanks to unrelenting pressure from neocons. This is suicidal. Anyone advocating for conflict with Iran is not an ally of the United States, but an enemy."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes the chances of a nuclear deal between Tehran and Washington are extremely low but will present to Donald Trump today how "a good deal should look like", Axios reporter Barak Ravid reported citing an Israeli official.

"Netanyahu wants the Libya model. Full dismantling of Iran's nuclear program", the official said.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Washington can only dream of an agreement with Iran similar to the 2003 deal with Libya.

His comments came after Republican Senator Tom Cotton said the deal President Trump wants with Iran would be one that neutralizes Tehran's threat completely.

"He prefers a deal like Libya cut with the United States in 2003," Cotton said in an interview posted on X, alluding to Qaddafi's giving up of all WMDs.

Iran's deputy parliament speaker Hamidreza Hajibabaei said Monday, "We are willing to engage in indirect negotiations (with the United States) for the sake of maintaining regional security."

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that while Iran believes in diplomacy, negotiations with the United States would not take place under pressure and threats.

“We believe in negotiations, but not at any price,” Pezeshkian said on Sunday night.

“We are not seeking war, unrest, or nuclear bombs. We are seeking negotiations — but the Americans must also prove that they truly want negotiations.”

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday expressed his concerns regarding Iran's nuclear program again.

During his visit to Egypt, Macron warned of heightened regional instability if the issue remains unresolved.

He said that France and Egypt seek a diplomatic solution, and France, with its allies, aims to severely limit Iran's nuclear activities and address its regional interference and missile program.

Russia, China and Iran will hold consultations at expert level on the Iranian nuclear program in Moscow on Tuesday, Russian state agency RIA reported on Monday, citing Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

Iran's state broadcaster, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), has commissioned thousands of hours of backup programming from production companies affiliated with the government, according to a report by IranWire.

The move aims to ensure that provincial television networks can continue broadcasting even if main facilities are targeted in potential attacks, an unnamed source told IranWire.

According to the report, a special budget has been allocated for this contingency planning. The commissioned content includes a wide range of programs, such as entertainment, competitions and historical documentaries.

US Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson has entered the Indian Ocean via the Malacca Strait, marking a step up in the US military's presence in the region amid tensions with Iran, Newsweek reported on Monday citing satellite imagery.

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Two high-ranking Iranian army commanders have visited an important air base in southeastern Iran, state media reported on Monday.

Deputy Commander of the Iranian Army Brigadier General Mohammad Hossein Dadras and Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi, the commander of the Iranian Air Force, conducted a tour of Shahid Del Hamed Air Base in Chabahar, located in the Sistan and Baluchestan province, on Sunday.

The Kremlin said on Monday that Russia is ready to do everything possible to resolve the issues surrounding the Iranian nuclear program through political and diplomatic means.

"This process will continue, including in the near future. And, of course, Russia is ready to make every effort, to do everything possible to contribute to this problem's resolution by political and diplomatic means," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Moscow also said it is in constant consultation with its Iranian partners, including discussions regarding the nuclear deal.

"We are in constant consultations with our Iranian partners, including on the topic of the nuclear deal."

The Kremlin added that these consultations will continue, including in the near future.

In a new twist to Iran’s nuclear saga, the official government newspaper - Iran - said on Monday that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s alleged fatwa against atomic weapons does not necessarily ban their production – only their deployment and use.

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Mithal al-Alusi, a former Iraqi lawmaker and the founder of Iraqi Ummah Party, has disputed a Reuters report suggesting that several Iranian-backed Iraqi armed groups are prepared to disarm.

In response to a question from Iran International, Alusi dismissed the Reuters report as incorrect,suggesting that the disarmament claims might be a nominal measure only “to acquit some political names involved with the militias.”

He added that "in practice, the real militias have received advanced weapons, and their participation on the battlefield may be completely evident."

His comments contradict the Reuters account, which cited senior Iraqi commanders and officials saying the militias were prepared to disarm to avert conflict with the US.

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The timing of a potential US attack on Iran is under consideration by officials, British daily newspaper The Times reported on Monday, without specifying which officials are involved.

The report added that diplomats in the Middle East believe that US President Donald Trump seeks to constrain Iran with active threats but is also building political legitimacy for a potential attack.

US President Donald Trump has blamed Iran for escalating tensions in the Middle East, including the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, suggesting that during his previous term, Iran had no money to fund groups like Hamas.

“There's a lot of things going on with the Middle East right now that have to be silenced…We had no problem with Iran. We had no problem with anybody. And then you had October 7th. And that was all because Iran, as you know, was not giving money to anybody because they had no money. Now they have a lot of money,” he told reporters on Sunday on Air Force One.

Trump’s comments come ahead of a planned meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

Iran's foreign minister said on Monday that while Tehran has proposed indirect negotiations with the United States through Oman, it is now up to Washington to respond, adding that Iran is in no hurry.

Speaking to Tasnim news agency, Abbas Araghchi denied claims of indirect talks already beginning, adding that direct negotiations are not acceptable.

Araghchi emphasized that any potential future negotiations would fall under the purview of the foreign ministry and be managed by the foreign minister, dismissing current media suggestions regarding the names of Iranian negotiators as incorrect.

He said that Iran has conveyed its readiness for indirect talks via Oman and is now awaiting the US response to this proposal.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday that indirect negotiations between Tehran and the United States have not yet started.

Esmail Baghaei added that Iran is awaiting a decision from the United States regarding Tehran's proposal for the commencement of indirect negotiations.

During a press briefing, the spokesperson also indicated that Oman is a primary candidate to host potential indirect talks with the US.

Bagahei also announced a trilateral meeting in Moscow in the coming days, where Iran, China, and Russia will discuss various aspects of the nuclear issue, the 2015 nuclear deal, and UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

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Former Iranian foreign minister and veteran nuclear negotiator, Mohammad Javad Zarif, has dismissed widespread suggestions about his involvement in the country's current foreign policy processes, labeling the rumors as akin to an "April Fool's joke" that started before April 1st and persists.

Responding to various rumors circulating about his potential role in ongoing diplomatic efforts, Zarif emphasized that he has not even seen the letter from former US President and Iran's response, adding that his knowledge of its content is limited to what has been reported in the media, according to Iran's official news agency IRNA.

Earlier on Sunday, reformist newspaper Shargh also refuted media speculations that Zarif will once again lead Tehran's talks with the United States.

Several powerful Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq are prepared to disarm for the first time to avert the threat of escalating conflict with the US administration, multiple senior commanders and Iraqi officials told Reuters.

The move to defuse tensions follows repeated private warnings from US officials to the Iraqi government since January, sources including six militia commanders said.

Washington has told Baghdad it could target the groups with airstrikes unless it acted to disband the militias operating on its soil.

The militia commanders, from groups including Kataib Hezbollah and Nujabaa, said their main ally, Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), had given them its blessing to make necessary decisions to avoid a damaging conflict with the US and Israel.

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Iran has never accepted negotiations under the shadow of threats, a former senior Iranian official said, adding that any future talks with the United States require Washington to abandon threats.

Mahmoud Vaezi, former chief of staff to the Iranian president when the 2015 nuclear deal was signed, suggested that if the Trump administration ceases threats during indirect negotiations with Iran and demonstrates genuine goodwill, a change in approach towards reaching an agreement is possible.

“It's crucial for American authorities to understand, through historical context, that Iran's leadership has never accepted talks under pressure, bullying, threats, or intimidation in its over 40-year history, including during the Iran-Iraq War and various crises, and has never yielded to any form of pressure.”

He said that Iran has always responded positively to negotiations conducted with mutual respect, equality, and fairness. "Negotiations have taken place and yielded effective, constructive outcomes whenever there has been an approach based on equality and mutual respect,” he said.

Vaezi pointed to the previous successful negotiations with the P5+1 that led to the JCPOA, saying that reaching a constructive agreement is possible under new circumstances, provided the US acts in good faith.

He added that Iran's preference for indirect talks stems from the US's unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA despite direct negotiations leading to the agreement.

Iranian reformist newspaper Shargh has refuted media speculations that former foreign minister and chief nuclear negotiator Mohammad Javad Zarif will once again lead Tehran's talks with the United States.

"Some sources have claimed that, following a confidential meeting on Friday morning between Parliament Speaker Qalibaf and the Supreme Leader, the issue of direct negotiations with the United States has been approved, and three political figures — namely Ali Larijani, Mohammad Forouzandeh, and Mohammad Javad Zarif — have been appointed as the selected representatives for this mission," Shargh wrote on Sunday.

However, the report added, sources close to Zarif strongly dismissed the claim in an interview with the newspaper.

US President Donald Trump seeks to constrain Iran with active threats but is also building political legitimacy for a potential attack, The Times reported on Sunday citing an assessment by diplomats in the Middle East.

"Officials are considering the possible timing of the attack after two big Israeli airstrikes in October rendered Iran’s radar stations and air defenses essentially ineffectual," the report added.

Israel is preparing for the possibility that Iran may miscalculate and launch an attack involving hundreds of missiles, Channel 14 reported, citing a senior Israeli official.

The report came shortly after a new US THAAD aerial defense battery was supplied to Israel amid President Donald Trump's threats of military action against Iran unless it agrees to a nuclear deal.

An extremely heavy American military cargo plane, a C-5M Super Galaxy, landed at Israel's Nevatim airbase in the south of the country on Saturday.

"The additional battery that landed here is part of our basket of operations with Americans," the Israeli official told Channel 14. "The defense cooperation between Israel and the Americans is going to another level, it is the best ever."

"Trump's deadline for the Iranians is about a month away - everything is on the table," the official added, referring to reports that the US president has set a two-month deadline for Iran in his March letter to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Last year, Iran hit Israel with missile salvos in April and October. The attacks were mostly repelled thanks to the US military and their allies. Israel, in turn, launched a direct attack on Iran on Oct. 26, knocking out much of its air defenses.

Iran has since vowed to launch a third attack against Israel, dubbed Operation True Promise 3.

Iran's Press Supervisory Board has officially warned ultra-hardline Kayhan newspaper, managed by Khamenei's representative, for its weekend calls to assassinate Trump in retaliation for the 2020 killing of Soleimani, calling it an act against national interests.

"The board has issued an official warning to the editor-in-chief of a newspaper for violating the Article 6 of the Press Law, which explicitly prohibits the publication of content against the security, dignity, and interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran, whether domestically or abroad," a statement by the Board said without naming Kayhan.

The Press Supervisory Board "commended the responsible and astute conduct of the country’s media managers in safeguarding national interests, informing public opinion, and fulfilling their media mission, but emphasized the need to observe specific security considerations and national interests in confronting the global arrogance, as well as taking into account the enemy's cognitive and hybrid warfare against Iran."

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Washington can only dream of an agreement with Iran similar to the 2003 deal with Libya.

His comments came after Republican Senator Tom Cotton said the deal President Trump wants with Iran would be one that neutralizes Tehran's threat completely.

"He prefers a deal like Libya cut with the United States in 2003," Cotton said in an interview posted on X, alluding to Qaddafi's giving up of all WMDs.

Araghchi also said that “no round of negotiations with the United States has been held so far."

“We have expressed our position; we believe in diplomacy and negotiations, but only indirectly.”

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz has released a document which he says is a transcript of intercepted communications revealing Iran's alleged support for Hamas.

The document claims to show a direct connection between Iran and Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Muhammad Deif, with the two demanding $500 million from Iran's Quds Force commander for their operations aimed at Israel’s destruction.

"Iran is the head of the snake and despite all its denials, even these days it finances and promotes terrorism in all sectors – from Gaza, through Lebanon, Syria, Judea and Samaria and now also against the Houthis in Yemen under the banner of the desire to destroy Israel," Katz said on Sunday.

"Israel will do everything to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and will continue to strike its proxies in the region until the Iranian axis of evil is crushed and toppled," he added.

Tehran has decided against direct talks with Washington in response to US President Donald Trump's letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Iranian parliament's deputy speaker said on Sunday.

"Our opposition to direct negotiations was due to the US's breach of commitments in the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action)," Hamidreza Hajibabaei said referring to Trump's 2018 withdrawal from the nuclear deal.

"The decision to hold indirect negotiations is also a response to America's bullying," Iranian media quoted Hajibabaei, during a meeting with Khalid al-Mawali, the speaker of Oman's parliament in Tashkent.

He added that Iran expects sanctions to be lifted through indirect negotiations.

This comes as Trump said he preferred direct talks with Iran, avoiding intermediaries in its negotiations with Iran to reach a nuclear deal.

“I think it’s better if we have direct talks,” he said. “I think it goes faster, and you understand the other side a lot better than if you go through intermediaries. They wanted to use intermediaries. I don’t think that’s necessarily true anymore,” Trump told reporters on Thursday.

Any miscalculation by Iran's enemies will be met with a decisive response from the Islamic Republic, the commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Joint Air Defense Headquarters, Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard, said on Sunday.

Sabahifard added that the armed forces of the Islamic Republic are at 100% readiness across all domains to counter any threat, saying that the country's military and air defense forces are better prepared and possess higher combat readiness than ever before.

Sabahifard further said that Iran's military capabilities are entirely indigenous and are continuously being upgraded and modernized based on perceived threats.

“Air defense capabilities are expanding daily. In the past month alone, numerous air defense units have been equipped with the most advanced weaponry, beyond our enemies' imagination.”

In February, Iran’s top military chief said that it repaired damage to its air defenses from the Israeli attack in October.The airstrikes disabled Iran's three Russian-supplied S-300 air defense missile systems, Fox News reported, citing US and Israeli officials. These surface-to-air S-300s were the last of their kind in Iran's arsenal after another was destroyed in an Israeli attack in April. 

An Iranian lawmaker has called for the country to rapidly pursue the development of nuclear weapons as a means of deterring threats from the United States.

Mohammad Qasim Osmani said on Sunday that "avoiding military conflict is the condition of reason, but the excessive demands of global arrogance (the US) are such that no other path remains unless we possess the means to confront their bullying and overreach."

He argued that Iran's nuclear knowledge, acquired at significant cost, should be utilized to bolster national security and create a level playing field for negotiations.

"The only way is a swift and continuous move towards building nuclear weapons as a deterrent. Nuclear knowledge, with all the cost it has had for the country, must help everywhere, especially in security, so that today our nuclear knowledge should bring us to equal terms for negotiation."

Iran's response to Trump's letter emphasized that it seeks calm in the region, and that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, according to the Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, Major General Bagheri.

According Bagheri, Iran's reply, formulated under the directives of the Supreme Leader, said that while Tehran is not seeking direct talks, it does not object to indirect negotiations as a potential path forward if the US acts sincerely.

"The leadership has authorized indirect negotiations because Iran doesn't close doors and keeps the option of indirect talks open, so that if you act in good faith, negotiations can happen."

Bagheri indicated that the letter conveyed Iran's stance as a non-belligerent nation that will, however, firmly resist bullying and aggression, warning that any infringement on Iran's territory or interests would face a decisive and irreparable response. "Khamenei's instructions are clear: we won't initiate conflict, but we will respond to any threat with our full strength."

Iran is pushing back against US demands for direct negotiations over its nuclear program, warning neighboring countries that host US bases they could become targets if they support any potential attack, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Saturday.

Tehran has notified Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, and Bahrain that any assistance to a US attack, including allowing the use of their airspace or territory, would be considered a hostile act. Such an act "will have severe consequences for them," the official said.

While rejecting direct talks with US President Donald Trump, Iran seeks to continue indirect negotiations through Oman, a long-established communication channel between the two adversaries, the official said.

"Indirect talks offer a chance to evaluate Washington's seriousness about a political solution with Iran," added the official.

The official added that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has placed Iran's armed forces on high alert.

However, the official believed a deal needed to be reached within roughly two months, fearing Israel, Iran's long-time enemy, might attack if talks dragged on.

The likelihood of a US military attack on Iran hinges on Washington's assessment that no path to a nuclear agreement exists and that military action would be a low-cost option, according to Iranian analyst Amir-Ali Abolfath.

In an interview with Etemad Online, Abolfath suggested that while the US appears interested in direct negotiations, Iran currently prioritizes indirect talks.

However, he added that there are unofficial reports indicating Tehran might be open to direct discussions if indirect talks progress positively and serve the country's interests.

Abolfath believes the current US military posture in the region serves a dual purpose of signaling both a willingness to negotiate and the potential for military engagement, as part of a strategy combining diplomatic and military pressure.

Iran’s ultra-hardline Kayhan newspaper, managed by a representative of the Supreme Leader, has repeated weekend calls to assassinate US President Donald Trump to avenge the 2020 killing of IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani.

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A new US THAAD aerial defense battery has been supplied to Israel amid President Donald Trump's threats of military action against Iran unless it agrees to a nuclear deal.

An extremely heavy American military cargo plane, a C-5M Super Galaxy, landed at Israel's Nevatim airbase in the south of the country on Saturday.

Flight trackers such as MenchOsint reported that the plane, which is capable of carrying the THAAD air defense systems, stayed at Nevatim for around eight hours.

An Israeli intelligence source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Iran International that the THAAD system had indeed arrived this weekend.

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Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday that Tehran is prepared to pursue indirect US negotiations regarding its nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions, based on a logic of building trust in exchange for sanctions relief.

"As a matter of principle, direct negotiations with a party that constantly threatens the use of force – contrary to the UN Charter – and whose officials express contradictory views would be pointless. However, we remain committed to diplomacy and are willing to explore indirect talks."

Araghchi also commented on Tehran's response to a letter from Trump, saying that the Islamic Republic had replied in a manner proportionate to the letter's content and tone, while also preserving the opportunity for diplomacy.

Araghchi made the remarks as he hosted numerous ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions in Tehran, along with their spouses.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will discuss Iran's nuclear program, Turkey's role in Syria, and tariffs during his Monday meeting with Donald Trump in Washington DC, Bloomberg reported citing an Israeli official.

The Israeli prime minister's office later confirmed Netanyahu and Trump "will discuss the Iranian threat, the issue of tariffs, efforts to bring back the hostages, Israel-Turkey relations and the battle in The Hague."

The director general of the UN nuclear watchdog says he will travel to Tehran in the coming weeks in order to prevent a disastrous clash between Iran and the United States over its disputed nuclear program.

"I will be traveling to Tehran in the coming weeks—specifically with the aim of getting Iran to clarify a number of unresolved issues as quickly as possible, in order to reduce the chances of heading toward confrontation, which would be truly catastrophic," Rafael Grossi told Argentina’s La Nacion network.

He said as of today, Iran does not have nuclear weapons. "But Iran does have many of the pieces of the puzzle, let’s put it that way, and it has the amount of nuclear material needed."

Grossi said Iran already has an amount that the IAEA estimates is sufficient for about six or seven weapons.

"This doesn’t mean they have them today. There’s a series of sophisticated mechanisms and systems required, which we are currently discussing with them," he noted.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei could alter his fatwa prohibiting the production of nuclear weapons, citing jurisprudential, religious, and political reasons, as well as today's conditions and necessities, wrote former Iranian minister Ataollah Mohajerani, now based in the UK.

"With Trump's repeated threats to bomb Iran and Netanyahu's stances, changing this doctrine could be seen as logical and justifiable, and it could be interpreted as serving national and revolutionary interests," he added.

"We can claim that Iran has one of the most powerful armies in the world," Army Ground Force Commander Kioumars Heydari said on Saturday. "We will not allow any kind of mischief from the enemy."

"Today, our preparedness is at a level where, unlike the armed forces of our neighboring countries, we are capable of establishing lasting security in our own country," he added.

The Yemeni information minister announced that 70 Iran-backed Houthis and members of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) were killed in a US airstrike on Tuesday, claims denied by the IRGC, which called it “false news”.

The IRGC affiliated Tasnim News Agency called the Saturday announcement by Muammar Al-Eryani "psychological warfare”. Al-Eryani is the minister of Yemen's official government, which is at war with the Houthis.

"It seems that this false news has been published in the context of psychological warfare and in order to push the region towards an all-out war, while officials and military commanders of the Islamic Republic of Iran have repeatedly announced that the Yemeni Ansarullah forces are fighting the US and Israel completely independently,” Tasnim wrote.

Al-Eryani said in a press statement that the attack targeted a point that was "used to plan terrorist attacks against commercial ships and tankers in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, and the Gulf of Aden” amid the Houthis’ maritime blockade.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with US President Donald Trump in the White House on Monday, Fox News reported.

Netanyahu had said on Friday he thinks the chances of a nuclear deal between Iran and the US are extremely low and he wants to reach an understanding with Trump about striking Iran's nuclear facilities when diplomacy fails, Axios reported citing a senior Israeli official.

"We are not at all concerned about war. We will not be the ones to start a war, but we are fully prepared for any conflict," IRGC Chief Commander Hossein Salami said Saturday.

"We're ready for both psychological operations and military action by the enemy, but we will not retreat a single step."

He said Iran's enemy is spread across the region and is within the Islamic Republic military's reach everywhere.

Israel "is like a spread-out table in front of us. A great power has been amassed. If the enemy wishes to untie our hands so it can witness the reality of our power, we are ready."

Salami likened Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to Prophet Moses, saying he will lead Iranians through the turmoil just as Moses parted the Nile and brought his people safely through it.

He said the Iran-Israel confrontation is a "real war—a battle for survival and a clash between two entities."

"This is the greatest confrontation in the history of Muslims against polytheists, unbelievers, and hypocrites. This front is the most unequal battle in history since Ashura," he said. "The enemy has come with all its might to force the surrender and destruction of dignity, honor, identity, Islam, and [the principle of] leadership—but it cannot succeed."

"Iran seeks dialogue from a position of equality—not a situation in which it is threatened on one hand and asked to negotiate on the other," President Masoud Pezeshkian said Saturday.

"If you want negotiations, then what are the threats for?" he added, referring to Donald Trump's threats to bomb Iran if talks over its disputed nuclear program fail.

"Today, the United States not only humiliates Iran but also the world. This behavior contradicts its call for negotiations," he said.

Any potential US airstrike would target not only Iran's nuclear facilities but also its air defense and missile capabilities in a bid to prevent possible retaliation, the former commander of US Central Command told Iran International.

In an exclusive interview with Iran International, former CENTCOM commander and CIA chief David Petraeus said Donald Trump would not stop at a limited attack on Iran's nuclear sites and would go after the Islamic Republic's air defense and missile capabilities.

"You probably have to take out some of the retaliatory capacity of Iran as well because you don't want to just take out the nuclear program and then have them go after the bases where we have forces, and that would then bring in all these other countries, of course," he said.

"This is not just a surgical attack on discrete nuclear capabilities. This is against the retaliatory capabilities, against the defense capability, and that's what has to be done if you're going to carry out this operation."

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As messaging between Tehran and Washington rapidly evolves, Iranian politicians and media continue to send mixed—and at times irrelevant—signals, while the US stance remains relatively consistent under President Donald Trump, who holds the final say.

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A media outlet affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has lashed out at a politician who recently suggested that President Masoud Pezeshkian should have accepted Donald Trump’s offer to meet.

Javan newspaper criticized Ali Motahari, a conservative politician known for occasionally outspoken views, for suggesting that President Masoud Pezeshkian should not have waited for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s reaction to Trump’s offer and should have accepted it immediately—arguing that if Khamenei later opposed direct talks, the meeting could simply have been canceled.

Javan wrote: “Common sense and conventional understanding tell any political figure that even if the constitution had not granted the Supreme Leader authority over foreign policy, in a time of war and external threats, one should not say, ‘Let the president speak for himself, and if necessary, the Leader can oppose it later’.”

In early February, President Trump revived his pressure campaign against Tehran while simultaneously calling for direct talks with his Iranian counterpart.

A rhetorical column, written in a satirical tone, in an Iranian newspaper on Saturday called for violent revenge against former US President Donald Trump, mocking his threats and invoking the killing of Qassem Soleimani.

The ultra-hardline Kayhan newspaper, published under the supervision of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s office, mocked Trump’s threats of military action should Iran fail to reach a new agreement not to produce nuclear weapons.

Speaking about Trump’s threats and tariffs even against US allies, Kayhan wrote, “He’s way out of line! Any day now, in revenge for the blood of Martyr Soleimani, a few bullets are going to be fired into that empty skull of his and he’ll be drinking from the chalice of a cursed death.”

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thinks the chances of a nuclear deal between Iran and the US are extremely low and wants to reach an understanding with Donald Trump about striking Iran's nuclear facilities when diplomacy fails, Axios reported citing a senior Israeli official.

"Eventually, Israel will attack Iran's nuclear facilities, with or without the United States, because there is no other choice," former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said on Iran Breakdown podcast hosted by Mark Dubowitz.

B-2 bombers have been deployed in US strikes against Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, but the campaign has seen limited success, CNN reports citing three sources with knowledge of the campaign.

The operation has cost nearly $1 billion in less than three weeks, according to the report, but does not appear to have significantly degraded Houthi capabilities.

One source told CNN the Pentagon may request supplemental funding.

The commander of Iran's Joint Air Defense Headquarters warned of overwhelming retaliation if the country is attacked.

"The Air Defense Force of the Army stands firm and resilient like a mountain in the face of threats and will undoubtedly deliver a crushing response to any act of aggression," Alireza Sabahifard said while touring the country's southeastern military sector on the shores of the Persian Gulf.

Also present in the tour was commander of Revolutionary Guards Aerospace Force Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

"Today, the Air Defense Force of the Army is at its peak readiness, and the enemies are certainly aware of this, which has prevented them from daring to commit any transgressions," he added.

"Unity and solidarity among the armed forces has brought peace of mind provide to the leader of the revolution and our people, while instilling fear and apprehension in the hearts of the enemies."

"Trump said it repeatedly, we cannot allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. And he's further said that there are two means to achieve that goal, and he's open to either means. He prefers a deal like Libya cut with the United States in 2003," US Senator Tom Cotton said in an interview posted on his X page.

"His main objective, which is, of course, mine and the objective of every sensible American and someone who wants peace and stability in the world, is that we cannot let crazed Ayatollahs in Iran have nuclear weapon," the Arkansas Republican added.

Former US Vice President Mike Pence says his former boss President Donald Trump is prepared to attack Iran if necessary should Tehran fail to come to the negotiating table on a new nuclear agreement.

“The American people can be confident, and people in that region – including our enemies – should know that President Donald Trump will take such action as is necessary, to protect our most cherished ally,” Pence said in an interview on the US-based television program The Rosenberg Report on Friday.

“The United States and Israel, and the free world – will never tolerate Iran obtaining a usable nuclear weapon. The president's willingness to signal a willingness to dialogue with the president of Iran I think in no way should ever diminish the clarity of America's purpose in this regard,” he added.

Turkey’s foreign minister on Friday called for peaceful negotiations between the US and Iran, warning of the risks of escalation in the region.

"Our region cannot tolerate another war, another big source of instability. And we don't know what type of escalation might occur in case of such an attack. So we don't want to see any (US) attack on Iran taking place,” Hakan Fidan was quoted as saying by Reuters in an interview on Friday.

“We need to see, as was the case in the past, peaceful negotiations employed by both sides and interested parties," he added.

A Bloomberg analysis argued that while Iran's vulnerability and proximity to nuclear weapons capability raise the specter of military action, diplomacy remains the only viable path forward despite deep distrust between Tehran and Washington.

The analysis highlights the limitations and unpredictable consequences of air strikes, noting that they would likely only delay, not end, Iran's nuclear program and could even push Tehran to pursue weapons more aggressively.

Despite a US military buildup in the region and the expressed willingness of one administration to consider force, the report emphasizes that a lasting solution requires a negotiated settlement addressing the weaknesses of the previous nuclear deal.

The Bloomberg opinion piece points to Iran's struggling economy and internal pressures as a potential opening for renewed diplomacy, but stressed the need for a comprehensive approach involving allies and regional partners.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that he is unaware of any nation that would be pleased to see Iran develop the capability to build nuclear weapons.

“I don't know of any country in the world that's excited about Iran ever having a nuclear weapons capability. Some are more forceful about it than others,” he said.

Rubio added that “the president... has made it clear that there's not going to be a nuclear- armed Iran. That is not going to happen under his watch.”

Rubio made the remarks following a meeting with foreign ministers from NATO member countries in Brussels, where he said discussions about Iran's nuclear program took place.

Iran is open to negotiations with the United States if Washington seeks talks on an equal footing, the head of the Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy commission said on Friday.

Speaking ahead of Friday prayers in Shiraz, Ebrahim Azizi pointed to what he described as the numerous broken promises by the United States over the past half-century, saying that Washington has only paid lip service to negotiations and remains untrustworthy.

“Iran has a logic for dialogue and is open to negotiation, on the condition that the other side does not act in a bullying manner and seeks negotiation from an equal standing,” he said.

Addressing threats from the US and Israel, Azizi said, "We tell their bullying and arrogant leaders with authority to stop threatening the great nation of Iran, and they should know that if they create insecurity, we will make the whole world insecure for them."

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called for diplomatic solutions to rising tensions between the United States and Iran, saying that Ankara does not want to see any attack on Iran.

Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels on Friday, Fidan emphasized the need for dialogue to resolve the dispute, particularly in light of recent threats of military action.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, in an interview with Le Figaro, expressed skepticism about the prospects of a new nuclear deal with Iran, citing significant differences in vision between Washington and Tehran.

Saar indicated that while conditions have changed since the 2015 agreement, he remains doubtful that the current diplomatic efforts will lead to a successful outcome.

"The gaps between the American vision and the Iranian vision remain very important," Saar said.

He highlighted what he called a tougher president in the US, a new Iranian administration, and a heightened European awareness of Iran's destabilizing activities as key factors in the current dynamic.

"We have a tougher president in the White House now. Iran also has a new leader. And the Europeans have become aware – especially with the war in Ukraine highlighting Tehran's support for Russia. Plus, they've seen Iran's direct attacks against us in April and October 2024, and they understand what its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah, have been capable of since October 7th. We no longer need to explain Iran's aggression.”

He also pointed out that the actions of Iran and its armed allies, especially since the October 7th attacks, have brought to the forefront the risks of Iran gaining a nuclear weapon. "Today everyone is asking the same question: if they did that without nuclear, what will they do the day they have a nuclear umbrella?" he said.

A sustained air campaign by the United States and Israel could inflict significant damage on Iran's nuclear facilities, but such action would likely need to be repeated within nine months to a year to prevent Tehran from rebuilding its program, a former US defense official has told the Wall Street Journal.

The former official's assessment suggests that any military intervention would likely result in a temporary setback rather than a definitive end to the program.

The Kremlin on Friday urged all parties involved in the issue of Iran's nuclear program to exercise restraint and seek a political and diplomatic resolution.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that dialogue and negotiation are the appropriate means to address concerns surrounding Iran's nuclear ambitions.

"We believe that the problem of the Iranian nuclear dossier should be discussed and resolved only by political and diplomatic means. Exclusively," he told reporters. "And, of course, we believe that all parties should maintain absolute restraint here and focus specifically on diplomatic efforts when discussing all issues.”

Peskov added that while Russia is in the process of restoring bilateral relations with the United States, Iran remains an ally of Moscow. "You know that we are currently working on restoring our relations with the United States, but Iran is also our partner, our ally, with whom we have very developed and multifaceted relations."

Russia has previously offered to mediate discussions between Tehran and Washington.

A former commander in Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) has said that the time has come to discuss the possibility of the Islamic Republic building an atomic bomb, referencing recent remarks by a senior advisor to the Supreme Leader on the issue.

Mansour Haghighatpour, a former member of parliament and a past commander in the IRGC, made the comments following recent statements by Ali Larijani, an advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, suggesting that US threats could push Iran towards acquiring nuclear weapons.

“The Supreme Leader once declared that building nuclear weapons was religiously forbidden, but he didn't prohibit the knowledge of how to produce them. Currently, we don't have nuclear weapons. However, if we face the threat of an atomic bomb, should we defend ourselves, or simply sit by and be torn apart like Hiroshima and Nagasaki?”

Speaking to Iranian media, Haghighatpour indicated that Iran's specific circumstances necessitate such discussions.

An Iranian member of parliament has reacted sharply to Trump's deal or war rhetoric, warning that any conflict would inflict heavy losses on the United States, Israel, and their allies in the Persian Gulf.

Abolfazl Zohrevand, a member of the National Security Committee of the parliament, told the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA) on Friday that Iran would fight if necessary, and the consequences for its adversaries would be severe.

"How does Trump allow himself to come and say either agreement or war?" Zohrevand questioned. "Certainly, if necessary, we will fight, and in a war with the US, we will not suffer losses. Rather, it will be the US, the Zionist regime, and their allies in the Persian Gulf who will suffer and will have to go and pitch tents in the Egyptian desert. Therefore, I want to say that they must understand this and must prevent this impudence."

Zohrevand said Trump's strategy involves using threats to pressure Iran into accepting his demands rather than engaging in genuine negotiations. He likened this approach to the idea promoted during the Rouhani administration that "any agreement is better than no agreement," which he characterized as surrender.

The lawmaker predicted that no major conflict would occur, suggesting that the US is engaged in psychological operations to see if it can force Iran into a "surrender agreement" at the last minute. He asserted that this would not happen.

Reformist political activist Mohammad Ali Abtahi has condemned US President Donald Trump's recent threats against Iran as outside diplomatic norms,warning that military confrontation would not benefit either nation.

In an interview with ISNA on Friday, Abtahi said it is unheard of for a country's leader to threaten another with bombing without any reason.

Despite long-standing differences, Abtahi said that both countries understand a military solution is illogical, and the exchange of letters between Trump and Iran indicates a tendency towards diplomacy.

He added, "The Americans also know that a military confrontation between Iran and the US is not in their interest and will even harm Trump's economy and businesses."

Abtahi also criticized Western efforts to portray regional resistance movements as Iranian proxies, asserting that the Islamic Republic has only provided "spiritual support" to these movements and that the term "proxy" is inaccurate.

Neither military strikes nor negotiations are likely to fully end Iran's nuclear program, potentially only delaying its advancement, according to analysis from Michael Singh, a former senior director for Middle East affairs in the George W. Bush administration's National Security Council.

Speaking to Bloomberg, Singh suggested that achieving a complete cessation of Iran's nuclear ambitions through these means is improbable.

His assessment aligns with recent warnings from Ali Larijani, a former Iranian parliament speaker and current advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who said this week that a military attack would compel Iran to aggressively pursue nuclear weapons for its defense.

US President Donald Trump says he thinks Tehran wants to negotiate directly with Washington.

“I think it’s better if we have direct talks,” Trump said on Thursday. “I think it goes faster, and you understand the other side a lot better than if you go through intermediaries. They wanted to use intermediaries. I don’t think that’s necessarily true anymore.” he told reporters on Thursday.

It remains unclear whether Iran has genuinely shifted its position or if President Trump is merely speculating about Tehran’s intentions.

In recent days, Tehran has signaled its willingness to engage in indirect talks with the Trump administration, while the US continues to favor quicker, direct negotiations.

Republican Congressman Joe Wilson has introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives calling for the dismantling of Iran-backed groups in Iraq and sweeping sanctions on their affiliates.

The 'Free Iraq from Iran Act' specifically targets the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and other militias, urging their complete removal from Iraq’s government and security forces. It conditions all US security assistance to Baghdad on dismantling these groups and severing their control over ministries​.

It also calls for the formal designation of 11 militias—including the Badr Corps, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada—as foreign terrorist organizations.

The bill also names former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, key Iraqi officials, and entities such as Al-Rafidain Bank for potential sanctions​.

Iran seeks dialogue and rejects any military use of nuclear energy, President Masoud Pezeshkian told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a phone call on Thursday.

“We are not seeking war with any country, but we have no hesitation in defending ourselves, and our readiness and capabilities in this regard are at the highest level,” Pezeshkian said, according to a statement from his office.

The statement added that Pezeshkian said the non-peaceful use of nuclear energy has no place in Iran's security and defense doctrine.

Pezeshkian also said that Iran is ready to engage in dialogue to reduce tensions based on mutual interests and respect, according to the statement.

Republican US Senator Tommy Tuberville expressed support for increased pressure on Iran, emphasizing sanctions targeting key sectors like oil and gas.

“If you're going to put sanctions on somebody —what President Trump does—for Iran and for the regime that's even killing its own people—is, you do blockade. You take away their source of being able to make a living, and that’s through their oil and gas,” Tuberville told Iran International.

The administration of US President Donald Trump remains committed to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and is still pressing for direct talks with Tehran, a National Security Council spokesman told Iran International.

Asked whether the administration sees any path forward for indirect engagement or dialogue given current tensions, the spokesman said: "President Trump and his administration remain committed that the Iranian regime never obtain a nuclear weapon, and we continue to press for direct talks."

Iran has ordered its military personnel to leave Yemen, the Telegraph reported on Thursday citing an unnamed Iranian official, abandoning its Houthi allies as the US escalates airstrikes against the group.

The report cited the official as saying that the move aimed to avoid direct confrontation with the United States if an Iranian soldier was killed.

Iran was also scaling back its strategy of supporting a network of regional allies to focus on the direct threats from Washington instead, the report added.

Tehran’s primary concern was “Trump and how to deal with him,” the report quoted the source as saying.

“Every meeting is dominated by discussions about him, and none of the regional groups we previously supported are being discussed,” the source added.

Iran could potentially agree to direct talks with the United States on the nuclear issue if progress is made during initial indirect negotiations, independent journalist Laura Rozen reported on Thursday citing an Iranian source.

The source, whom Rozen said spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated that indirect talks could begin in the next two to three weeks, likely in Oman, if the US is willing to engage. The talks are expected to be private at first.

Rozen cited the source as saying that if the indirect talks are successful in establishing a framework for negotiations, they could pave the way for direct talks.

The report added that Iran's negotiating team is expected to include Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Ravanchi, who was a key figure in talks which achieved a previous international nuclear deal, and Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi.

“Trump’s words are just hot air,” an Iranian lawmaker said Wednesday, dismissing the US President Donald Trump’s threat to bomb Iran if it fails to agree a nuclear deal.

“They know the extent of our offensive and defensive capabilities,” Fereydoun Abbasi said.

A former Iranian diplomat says Europe's implicit support for President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign on Iran reflects the extent to which Tehran’s relations with European powers have deteriorated.

Kourosh Ahmadi, who previously served at Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York, argued in an analysis published on a Tehran-based website that despite growing rifts between the Trump administration and Europe, European governments have refrained from criticizing Trump’s hardline approach toward Iran.

“Europe’s current silence or alignment with Trump on Iran comes at a time of unprecedented tension between Europe and the United States, as Trump and his team have shown nothing but contempt and hostility toward America’s traditional allies,” Ahmadi wrote. This, he said, underscores how severely Tehran’s ties with Europe have eroded over the past three years.

France’s foreign minister warned Wednesday that a military confrontation with Iran could become “almost inevitable” if world powers fail to quickly reach a new agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program. The statement followed a rare, closed-door meeting convened by President Emmanuel Macron with senior ministers and experts to assess the Iran situation.

A senior Iranian diplomat called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Thursday to condemn recent threatening rhetoric by the US president against Iran.

Speaking at a meeting of SCO deputy foreign ministers in Moscow, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, the Political Deputy of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, referred to US President Donald Trump’s recent threat to use force against Iran.

He described such statements as dangerous and in violation of fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter.

Takht-Ravanchi noted Iran’s request for the UN Security Council to condemn these remarks and urged the SCO to adopt a similar stance in denouncing the US approach to uphold international peace and security.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday that Russia is ready to offer its help for the US and Iran to reach a reasonable agreement before it is too late.

A new bipartisan bill in the US is pushing for measures to empower Iranians to help overthrow the government in favour of a democratic alternative including facilitating greater internet access and funding for dissidents.

The Maximum Support Act, introduced by Reps. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), would require the administration to develop an aggressive interagency strategy aimed at backing Iranian dissidents who would be pivotal in the process.

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Remarks by a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader warning of Iran being pushed to produce nuclear weapons by US threats have sparked intense debate in Iran.

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Israel is not ruling out a diplomatic path to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Thursday, adding that there were signs that there could be indirect talks between Tehran and the United States.

"We don't hold discussions with the Iranians, as you know, but they made it clear they are ready to an indirect negotiations with the US, and I will not be surprised if such negotiations will start."

Chinese independent refineries, known as "teapots," appear to be pausing new orders of Iranian crude oil following Washington's first imposition of sanctions on a Chinese refinery, Shandong-based Shouguang Luqing Petrochemicals.

Iran’s main oil customers are small, independent Chinese refineries, known as "teapots," most of which are based in Shandong, where 90% of Iranian oil cargoes is discharged.

According to market intelligence cited by Kpler, no fresh deals for Iranian crude have been reported since March 20.

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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told executives from major global banks on Wednesday that Washington is prepared to impose broader sanctions on Iran and called for their cooperation in ramping up financial pressure on the Islamic Republic.

“Our strategy is clear: We will apply economic pressure to the maximum extent possible to disrupt the Iranian regime’s access to the financial resources that fuel its destabilizing activities,” Bessent said. “This includes the billions of dollars Iran generates annually from oil sales.”

During his first term, President Donald Trump imposed sweeping sanctions on Iran, targeting its oil exports and foreign banking operations.

Iran’s economy is now in deep crisis, as its reduced oil revenues are no longer sufficient to sustain its energy-dependent economy.

A former senior Iranian diplomat has warned that certain actors are actively working to prevent improved relations between Iran and the West, emphasizing the need for Tehran to maintain a balanced foreign policy with all global powers.

Jalal Sadatian, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, told the ILNA news website in Tehran: “It is important to recognize that there are serious enemies of Iran’s national interests who do not want to see improved relations with Europe and the United States.”

“Maintaining a balanced foreign policy is essential to safeguard the country’s national interests and security,” Sadatian said, adding, “We must remain aware of the severe risks posed by sanctions in order to navigate this critical phase successfully.”

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Remarks by a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader warning of Iran being pushed to produce nuclear weapons by US threats have sparked intense debate in Iran.

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Moscow has rejected as illegal US threats against Iran's nuclear infrastructure, the Russian foreign ministry said on Wednesday, as tensions between Washington and Tehran have ramped up in recent weeks.

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US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff reacted "great" on Wednesday to a spirited statement by Iran's foreign minister on X before swiftly deleting the post.

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