Iran rejects US military presence in the Gulf while nuclear talks continue. Officials from both sides indicate further discussions are planned.
Iran has responded defiantly to the increasing US military presence in the Gulf, asserting that it will not be intimidated by these deployments. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized this during a press conference, stating, 'Their military deployment in the region does not scare us.' Meanwhile, President Masoud Pezeshkian highlighted the ongoing nuclear programme negotiations with the US, noting that while no final agreement was reached, diplomatic progress has been made.
Officials from both sides have indicated that additional rounds of talks are expected in the coming days. The discussions, facilitated by regional mediators, aim to continue the dialogue on Tehran's nuclear programme. President Pezeshkian stressed Iran's commitment to resolving disputes through diplomacy and ruled out any concessions on its missile programme.
The US envoy Steve Witkoff visited the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea, emphasizing the role of the military group in maintaining security in the region. However, Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Araghchi, warned against any potential US attack, stating that retaliatory actions against American bases in the region would be justified.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Trump in Washington to discuss further limiting Iran's ballistic missile programme and curbing Tehran's support for regional allies. The meeting follows recent statements from both leaders about the importance of addressing these issues in any potential agreement.