WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said on Friday he believes Iran would prefer to negotiate a deal rather than face US military action, despite Tehran asserting that its missile arsenal is non-negotiable.
Read More: Trump plans talks amid rising Iran tensions
“I can say this, they do want to make a deal,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, noting that a US naval carrier group is en route to the region. He added that a deadline had been given to Iran for talks on its nuclear and missile programs, though he declined to specify the timeframe.
Trump cited Tehran’s recent halt of executions of protesters as a sign of willingness to engage, following a crackdown that rights groups say killed more than 6,000 people.
US President Donald Trump said he believes Tehran wants to strike a deal to avoid military action, claiming the US naval “armada” positioned near Iran is larger than the force he sent during the operation to topple Venezuela’s leader.#US #Iran #armada #Diplomacy #PakistanTV… pic.twitter.com/BOqMntfRxk
— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) January 31, 2026
Iran, however, remains firm that its missile and defensive capabilities will never be subject to negotiations. Top officials, including Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, reiterated that any talks would need to be on an equal footing. Larijani also warned the EU that countries participating in recent sanctions against Iran’s IRGC could be treated as terrorist entities.
US Central Command issued a statement cautioning Iran to conduct naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz safely, warning that unsafe actions near US forces or commercial vessels would not be tolerated.
The escalating rhetoric has drawn international concern. Nobel laureate and former IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei condemned US threats, comparing them to the lead-up to the 2003 Iraq invasion and warning of potential regional devastation.
Analysts suggest linking a nuclear deal to other issues, such as Iran’s missile program, will be extremely difficult. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking in Istanbul, urged Washington to avoid military action, noting that Israel is pushing for a strike on Iran.
Read More: Time running out for Iran, says Trump on nuclear deal
With tensions mounting, both sides face pressure to reduce the risk of conflict, while negotiations remain uncertain over the future of Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.