Speaking to journalists on Thursday, President Trump said the United States remains in contact with Iran and that the door to diplomacy has not been closed. He stressed that his preference is to resolve the situation through talks rather than force.
‘I want things to be settled through discussion,’ Trump said, adding that military action should be the last option, not the first move.
According to the French news agency AFP, the US president confirmed that he has already held talks with Iran and that further discussions are being planned. When asked whether he was willing to engage directly with Iranian leaders, Trump responded, ‘I’ve spoken before, and I intend to speak again.’
The comments come at a time when Washington has increased its military presence in the Middle East. Trump has previously warned that time is running out for Iran, while the US has deployed a major naval fleet to the region. Speaking at the premiere of a documentary about First Lady Melania Trump, he said, ‘A group is heading toward Iran, and hopefully, we won’t have to use it.’
At the same time, statements from Washington and Brussels this week have taken on a tougher tone. Iran, in response, has also issued sharp warnings. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged all sides to prioritize nuclear negotiations, cautioning that the region cannot afford another major crisis with potentially devastating consequences.
An Iranian military spokesperson warned that any US action would be met with an immediate and decisive response, one that would not be limited in scale. Iranian officials recalled events from June last year, when actions by the US and Israel sharply increased regional tensions.
Iranian Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia, speaking on state television, said US aircraft carriers have serious vulnerabilities and that several American military bases in the Gulf region fall within the range of Iran’s medium-range missiles. He warned that any miscalculation by Washington would lead to outcomes very different from what President Trump might expect.
‘This will not be an operation where victory is declared within hours,’ he said, signaling the risk of prolonged conflict.
A regional official familiar with US military installations in the Gulf said concerns about possible action against Iran have become increasingly clear. He warned that any such move could push the entire region into chaos, with consequences extending beyond the Middle East to the global economy. A sharp rise in oil and gas prices, he added, would be almost inevitable.
International observers say the growing standoff between the US and Iran poses a serious threat to global stability. In the days ahead, the situation could tilt toward renewed negotiations—or slide into confrontation making diplomacy a test of both patience and restraint.
