The US president renewed his threat against Iran a few days ago, vowing to bomb the country if Tehran does not make a deal
US President Donald Trump is “seriously considering” Iran’s offer of indirect nuclear talks – but at the same time is beefing up forces in the region for a potential escalation, according to sources cited by Axios on 2 April.
“The White House is seriously considering an Iranian proposal for indirect nuclear talks, while at the same time significantly boosting US forces in the Middle East in case President Trump opts for military strikes,” two US officials told the outlet.
Washington is still “engaged in an internal debate between those who think a deal is achievable and those who see talks as a waste of time and back strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities,” the report adds.
One of the US officials said Trump thinks direct negotiations would be more successful but has not ruled out indirect negotiations mediated by Oman.
The officials said no decisions have been made.
“After the exchange of letters, we are now exploring next steps in order to begin conversations and trust building with the Iranians,” another one of the sources said.
The report comes after Trump renewed his threat to attack Iranian nuclear facilities.
“If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing. But there's a chance that if they don't make a deal, that I will do secondary tariffs on them like I did four years ago,” the president said on Sunday. Iran issued a formal complaint to the UN Security Council and said it would respond to any threat.
Trump had sent a letter to Iranian leadership in early March, threatening an attack if Tehran did not come to the negotiating table.
Iranian officials said they would not negotiate under threats and economic sanctions, which Trump has imposed with full force as part of his “maximum pressure” policy.
This week, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has officially responded to Trump’s letter signaling a willingness for indirect talks.
Meanwhile, the US military has been beefing up its forces in the region. CENTCOM has announced that USS Harry S. Truman – which is involved in Washington’s deadly nightly raids against Yemen – will be joined by the USS Carl Vinson carrier.
“To complement the CENTCOM maritime posture, the Secretary also ordered the deployment of additional squadrons and other air assets that will further reinforce our defensive air-support capabilities. Should Iran or its proxies threaten American personnel and interests in the region, the United States will take decisive action to defend our people,” said Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell.
The US has also reportedly stationed several B-2 stealth bombers and F-35 jets at the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean recently.
Iranian military and political officials have said that the US will face a harsh response for any attack.
“The White House is seriously considering an Iranian proposal for indirect nuclear talks, while at the same time significantly boosting US forces in the Middle East in case President Trump opts for military strikes,” two US officials told the outlet.
Washington is still “engaged in an internal debate between those who think a deal is achievable and those who see talks as a waste of time and back strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities,” the report adds.
One of the US officials said Trump thinks direct negotiations would be more successful but has not ruled out indirect negotiations mediated by Oman.
The officials said no decisions have been made.
“After the exchange of letters, we are now exploring next steps in order to begin conversations and trust building with the Iranians,” another one of the sources said.
The report comes after Trump renewed his threat to attack Iranian nuclear facilities.
“If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing. But there's a chance that if they don't make a deal, that I will do secondary tariffs on them like I did four years ago,” the president said on Sunday. Iran issued a formal complaint to the UN Security Council and said it would respond to any threat.
Trump had sent a letter to Iranian leadership in early March, threatening an attack if Tehran did not come to the negotiating table.
Iranian officials said they would not negotiate under threats and economic sanctions, which Trump has imposed with full force as part of his “maximum pressure” policy.
This week, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has officially responded to Trump’s letter signaling a willingness for indirect talks.
Meanwhile, the US military has been beefing up its forces in the region. CENTCOM has announced that USS Harry S. Truman – which is involved in Washington’s deadly nightly raids against Yemen – will be joined by the USS Carl Vinson carrier.
“To complement the CENTCOM maritime posture, the Secretary also ordered the deployment of additional squadrons and other air assets that will further reinforce our defensive air-support capabilities. Should Iran or its proxies threaten American personnel and interests in the region, the United States will take decisive action to defend our people,” said Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell.
The US has also reportedly stationed several B-2 stealth bombers and F-35 jets at the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean recently.
Iranian military and political officials have said that the US will face a harsh response for any attack.
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