Iran and the United States have confirmed that channels of communication are open as both sides seek to avert military confrontation amid heightened tensions in the Gulf and intensified diplomatic efforts across the region.
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Tehran was actively engaging with Washington, hours after a senior Iranian official indicated that preparations for negotiations were moving forward.
Trump Points to Talks, Warns of Military Presence
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said Iran was “seriously talking” with the United States, though he remained uncertain whether Tehran would agree to a deal that includes a commitment to forgo nuclear weapons.
“They are talking to us — seriously talking,” Trump said, adding that he hoped negotiations would lead to an acceptable outcome.
He also referenced the deployment of US naval forces toward the region, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, describing them as “very big, powerful ships” heading toward Iran.
Iran Confirms Progress Toward Negotiations
Earlier in the day, Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran was preparing for dialogue with Washington.
“Contrary to the artificially manufactured media narrative, the formation of a framework for negotiations is progressing,” Larijani wrote on X, without providing further details.
Rising Pressure and Military Warnings
The statements come after weeks of escalating rhetoric, with Trump repeatedly threatening military action over Iran’s handling of recent antigovernment protests and over its nuclear programme.
Earlier this week, Trump said US forces in the region were prepared to use force if Iran refused to engage in talks.
The US Central Command, US Central Command, also issued a warning on Friday in response to plans by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to conduct a two-day naval exercise in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global energy supplies.
CENTCOM cautioned that “unsafe and unprofessional behaviour” near US or commercial vessels could heighten the risk of escalation.
Tehran Pushes Back Against US Criticism
Iranian officials have said they are open to negotiations but insist Washington must halt threats of military action first.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticised the US military presence near Iran’s coastline, saying it was attempting to dictate how Iranian forces conduct exercises in their own waters.
He noted the contradiction in Washington demanding professionalism from the IRGC while designating it a terrorist organisation — a label imposed by the US in 2019 during Trump’s first term.
“The presence of outside forces in our region has historically led to escalation, not de-escalation,” Araghchi said.
Regional Diplomacy Intensifies
Al Jazeera correspondent Tohid Asadi, reporting from Tehran, described the situation as “fragile and delicate” but said Larijani’s comments suggested a positive shift toward diplomacy.
Regional powers have stepped up mediation efforts in recent days. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met Larijani in Tehran to discuss steps to reduce tensions and pursue peaceful solutions.
Qatar reiterated its support for diplomacy aimed at maintaining regional security and preventing escalation.
Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have also engaged in behind-the-scenes diplomacy to prevent a military clash between Washington and Tehran.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier this week that Riyadh would not allow its airspace or territory to be used for military operations against Iran, according to Saudi state media.