Washington (TDI): US President Donald Trump has warned that Washington may take “very tough” action against Iran if ongoing diplomatic efforts fail to produce an agreement, as both sides prepare for another round of talks.
The warning comes after Oman facilitated indirect negotiations last week. According to Iran’s foreign ministry, the discussions helped Tehran assess Washington’s seriousness and revealed enough common ground to keep diplomacy alive.
Trump has already deployed one aircraft carrier to the region and is reportedly considering sending a second, raising concerns about possible military escalation. Last year, he supported Israeli strikes on Iranian targets and ordered attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. He also previously threatened intervention during unrest inside Iran but stopped short of direct involvement.
Speaking to Israeli media, Trump emphasized the stakes, saying that either a deal would be reached or the United States would take decisive action. While the next round of talks has not yet been scheduled, military positioning in the region appears to be increasing.
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Reuters reported a buildup of US military assets across the Middle East, including missile systems at Qatar’s al-Udeid air base, the largest US military installation in the region. Satellite imagery indicates additional aircraft and equipment deployments.
Meanwhile, Iran maintains that its ballistic missile program is not open for negotiation. The United States is seeking to broaden discussions beyond Tehran’s nuclear activities to include missile limitations, a move strongly supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is expected to press the issue in meetings in Washington.
Read More: Trump Hails ‘Very Good’ US–Iran Talks, Signals More Negotiations Ahead
Iranian officials continue to insist that sanctions relief must be part of any agreement and that the country’s right to uranium enrichment will not be compromised. Washington has demanded that Iran give up its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60%, which is close to weapons-grade levels.
US Vice President JD Vance stated that final decisions on negotiating red lines will rest with Trump.
Talks between the two countries collapsed last year, primarily over disagreements about uranium enrichment within Iran. Tehran has since said it has halted enrichment following US strikes on its facilities and maintains that its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes.
