Trump Expresses Optimism for Diplomatic Deal with Iran Amid Regional Tensions

Kathmandu. US President Donald Trump has stated that he is optimistic about reaching a diplomatic agreement with Iran. Trump's reaction came hours after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that if the US starts a war, it would take the form of a "regional war."

Speaking to reporters at his Florida residence, Trump clarified that despite the deployment of powerful military assets in the Middle East, his priority remains a diplomatic solution. He remarked that if a deal is not reached, it will become clear whether Khamenei's warning was correct or not.

"Our most powerful ships in the world are nearby. I hope a deal happens within a few days. If it doesn't, we will find out if what he said was right," Trump said.

Previously, Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei had warned the US via social media platform X against taking military action. He stated that if the US starts a war, it would not remain limited but would engulf the entire region. Asserting that the Iranian people would not be intimidated by threats of warships and fighter jets, he warned of a stern response if Iran is attacked.

Khamenei stated that while Iran would not be the initiator of a war, it would give a decisive response to any attack. He also accused the US of seeking dominance over Iran's oil, gas, mineral resources, and geographical position. He claimed that the US was once dominant over Iranian politics, security, and resources, and is now trying to regain influence after losing control.

Meanwhile, Ali Larijani, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, stated that preparations for US-Iran talks are progressing. On social media platform X, he mentioned that structural preparations for talks are moving forward, contrary to the noise created by the media, though he did not provide details regarding the format of the talks.

The US has currently deployed a large naval group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln near Iran. Trump has previously claimed that Iran is interested in coming to the negotiation table and mentioned that a deadline has been set for discussions regarding nuclear weapons, though he has not made that deadline public. 

Despite escalating tensions between the US and Iran, neither side has completely ruled out the possibility of a diplomatic solution. ANI