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image source, EPA
US President Donald Trump indicated, on Friday, his belief that Iran wants to conclude an agreement with Washington through which it would avoid the military strike with which it threatens it, noting that he gave Tehran an unspecified period of time to respond to his proposals.
“I can tell they want to make a deal,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. In response to a question about whether he gave the Islamic Republic a specific period, Trump replied, “Yes, I did,” adding that Tehran is “the only one who knows” this deadline.
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump expressed his “hope” to avoid military action against Iran, whose officials promised a “crushing response” to any US strike.
Trump said he plans to talk to Iran, leaving the door open to the possibility of avoiding a military strike while “time is running out” for a previous warning to the United States, which sent a huge naval fleet to the Middle East.
On Friday, the United States imposed sanctions on a number of Iranian officials after a campaign to suppress protests in Iran in recent weeks.
Among those subject to the sanctions is Interior Minister Eskander Momeni, “who supervises the violent repressive forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is a major party responsible for the killing of thousands of peaceful demonstrators,” according to a statement by the US Treasury Department.
The sanctions come after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced, on Friday, his country’s readiness to discuss its nuclear program, but he denied the readiness to discuss its defense capabilities, stressing that there are no meetings scheduled at this stage with the United States.
Araqchi said, in a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Istanbul, “I would like to categorically emphasize that Iran’s defense capabilities and missiles will never be a subject of negotiation. The security of the Iranian people is a private matter that concerns no one else.”
Fidan urged Washington to resist Israeli pressure to launch a military strike on Iran, warning that this would cause “severe damage” to a fragile region.
He added, “We see that Israel is trying to persuade the United States to launch a military attack on Iran… We hope that the American administration will act wisely and not allow this to happen.”
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday that the US military would be ready to implement any directives issued by President Trump regarding Iran, “to prevent Tehran from seeking to possess nuclear weapons,” according to Reuters.
Hegseth stressed, “They should not seek to possess nuclear capabilities. We will be ready to implement anything the president wants from the War Department.”
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Friday with the Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, who was on an unannounced visit to Moscow amid the existing tensions.
The Kremlin explained in a statement, “The Head of State received in the Kremlin the Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, who is visiting Russia.”
On the other hand, the head of the Intelligence Division in the Israeli army, Shlomi Binder, participated during the past few days in consultations with intelligence officials from various countries in Washington, in light of the escalation of regional tensions, especially after Iranian threats to respond to any American attack in the heart of Israel.
According to estimates by Israeli officials, Trump is seeking to carry out a large-scale military operation against Iran that could lead to the overthrow of the ruling regime there, according to those estimates.
An Israeli official told the local broadcasting authority that there is complete defense coordination between the United States and Israel at this sensitive stage, as he put it.
In this context, last night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held security consultations to discuss recent developments and the potential consequences of any military developments in terms of current American-Iranian tensions.
An aircraft carrier and 6 American destroyers in the region
Table of Contents
- 1. An aircraft carrier and 6 American destroyers in the region
- 2. European Union: “The Revolutionary Guard is a terrorist organization”
- 3. Strait of Hormuz: Iranian maneuvers in light of escalation
- 4. what are the chances of a new US‑Iran nuclear deal after President Trump’s recent statement?
- 5. A Potential Shift in US-Iran Relations: Trump’s Assessment and Iran’s Overture
- 6. Trump’s Viewpoint: A Return to Negotiation?
- 7. Iran’s Signals: A Changing Calculus?
- 8. The Role of Regional Dynamics
- 9. Potential Obstacles to a Deal
- 10. The JCPOA: A Brief Recap
- 11. What a Renewed Agreement Might Look Like
The US Navy announced, “sending an additional warship” to the Middle East, coinciding with a large military buildup in the region and escalating tensions.
The official, who requested anonymity, told Reuters that the US destroyer USS Delbert D. Black entered the area during the past 48 hours.
This brings the number of destroyers in the Middle East to six, along with an aircraft carrier and three other coastal warships.
According to the Washington Post, US naval preparations have continued in the Middle East, with the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and three accompanying warships arriving in the North Arabian Sea, a defense official said on Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The group includes the destroyers (USS Frank E). Peterson Jr., USS Spruance, and USS Michael Murphy, each equipped with dozens of Tomahawk missiles and air defense systems.
Another official explained to the newspaper that other American ships were stationed near the Strait of Hormuz and the eastern Mediterranean. Officials indicated that more US forces, including ground air defenses, are expected to arrive in the region.
In a separate context, the US State Department published through its account on the
European Union: “The Revolutionary Guard is a terrorist organization”
image source, Reuters
European Union foreign ministers agreed to classify the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a “terrorist organization,” in light of its accusation of carrying out a bloody crackdown during the recent protests.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on the X platform, “The term terrorist is indeed the correct term to describe a regime that suppresses its people’s demonstrations with bloodshed.”
Although the European Union’s move remains highly symbolic politically, Tehran warned that the decision would have “serious consequences.”
The bloc, which includes 27 countries, agreed to ban visas and freeze assets against 21 Iranian officials and government entities due to repression.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Thursday condemned the decision, considering it a “major strategic mistake.”
Araqchi said in a post on the X platform, “Several countries are currently seeking to avoid the outbreak of a comprehensive war in our region, while Europe is busy fueling the conflict.”
The Iranian Armed Forces described the decision as “illogical and irresponsible” and reflects the “depth of hostility” from the bloc towards the Islamic Republic.
She considered in a statement that this decision was taken to please US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that the Union will bear “directly the dire consequences of this hostile and provocative decision,” as the statement described it.
According to a list published in the bloc’s Official Gazette, the new sanctions affect Interior Minister Iskander Momeni and Public Prosecutor Mohammad Vahedi Azad. The Union included 15 officials and six entities on the asset freeze and visa ban list.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar welcomed the decision, describing it as “important and historic.”
Human rights organizations say that they documented the killing of thousands, most of them demonstrators, at the hands of Iranian security forces, in the protests that broke out in late December, against the backdrop of deteriorating living conditions, which quickly turned into a movement raising slogans against the Islamic Republic.
Human rights organizations accuse the Revolutionary Guard of being behind the implementation of the repression.
Strait of Hormuz: Iranian maneuvers in light of escalation
Press TV reported that the naval forces of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard will carry out military exercises with live ammunition in the Strait of Hormuz on the first and second of February (Sunday and Monday).
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important sea lanes for global oil export, as it connects major oil producers in the Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates, to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
The Iranian army spokesman announced that the Islamic Republic will respond immediately if it is attacked, reminding that many American bases in the region are within range of Iranian missiles.
Muhammad Akramenia vowed a “decisive and immediate response,” pointing to “major weaknesses” regarding American aircraft carriers, a few days after the deployment of a US naval fleet led by the aircraft carrier “Abraham Lincoln” off the coast of Iran.
He added, via the Iranian Afaq Sima Network, that his country is capable of targeting American bases using semi-heavy weapons, drones, and missiles, warning that any confrontation “will not be limited or quick, but rather will expand to include the entire West Asian region, from Israel to countries that include American bases.”
Regarding the presence of the American fleet in the West Asia region, Akramenia said, “American aircraft carriers remain vulnerable to missiles and hypersonic weapons belonging to the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The Iranian army announced that “a thousand strategic drones of various types have joined its combat structure,” by order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army in Iran.
The Iranian Al-Alam channel indicated that the drones were attached to the four army forces, “after they were developed and manufactured locally by military specialists and in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense.”
The channel reported that these drones’ missions varied between offensive, attack, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare, and were designed to carry out operations against fixed and moving targets on land, sea, and air.
Al-Alam TV quoted the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army, Amir Hatami, as confirming that maintaining and developing strategic capabilities and features is at the core of the army’s priorities, ensuring readiness for “a rapid and decisive response to any potential attack.”
image source, Reuters
The Iranian Al-Alam channel reported that Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, confirmed his country’s commitment to the path of dialogue and diplomacy, stressing that Iran does not seek war or conflict, but will defend itself if it is exposed to any threat.
On Thursday, Pezeshkian discussed the latest regional developments during two separate phone calls with the Emir of the State of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Al-Alam Channel reported that Pezeshkian stressed “his country’s commitment to its approach based on diplomacy based on international law, mutual respect, and rejection of threats and coercion,” stressing that any real negotiations require the American side to stop “provocative measures and prove good intentions in practice.”
In the same context, Agence France-Presse quoted a Gulf official as saying that fears of a possible US strike on Iran are “very clear,” warning that it may plunge the region into a state of “chaos” and harm the economy not only in the Middle East, but also in the United States, in addition to causing a sharp rise in oil and gas prices.
Oil prices rose by more than five percent on Thursday, reaching levels not seen since August 2025.
Iran, in addition to being one of the 10 largest oil producers in the world, also supervises the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of global oil production passes.
what are the chances of a new US‑Iran nuclear deal after President Trump’s recent statement?
A Potential Shift in US-Iran Relations: Trump’s Assessment and Iran’s Overture
Donald Trump’s recent assertion that he “believes Iran wants to make a deal” has sparked considerable discussion, particularly as it coincides with signals from Tehran indicating a willingness to re-engage in discussions regarding its nuclear program. This advancement represents a potential, albeit complex, turning point in the fraught relationship between the United States and Iran. Understanding the nuances of this situation requires examining the ancient context, current motivations, and potential pathways forward.
Trump’s Viewpoint: A Return to Negotiation?
Throughout his presidency, Trump consistently expressed a desire to negotiate a new agreement with Iran, one he deemed more favorable to US interests than the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal. His withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 and subsequent implementation of “maximum pressure” sanctions were predicated on the belief that Iran would eventually be compelled to seek a better deal.
Now,years later,Trump’s statement suggests he believes that pressure may have achieved its intended effect. He has repeatedly criticized the JCPOA as being too lenient and failing to address Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional activities. His vision for a new agreement likely includes stricter limitations on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, longer sunset clauses, and constraints on its support for proxy groups in the Middle East.
Iran’s Signals: A Changing Calculus?
For years,Iran maintained a firm stance against renegotiating the JCPOA,insisting it had fully complied with its obligations under the agreement. However, the crippling impact of US sanctions, coupled with internal economic challenges, appears to be prompting a reassessment of this position.
Recent statements from Iranian officials,including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian,have indicated a willingness to engage in talks,albeit with conditions. These conditions generally revolve around the lifting of sanctions and guarantees that the US will not again unilaterally withdraw from any future agreement.
Specifically, iran is seeking:
* Sanctions Relief: A complete or considerable lifting of economic sanctions imposed by the US.
* Guarantees: Verifiable assurances that the US will remain committed to any new or revised agreement.
* Economic Benefits: A pathway to realizing the economic benefits promised under the original JCPOA.
The Role of Regional Dynamics
The evolving situation isn’t occurring in a vacuum. Regional tensions, particularly the ongoing conflict in Yemen and concerns over iran’s influence in Iraq and Syria, are significant factors. Saudi Arabia and Israel, key US allies in the region, have consistently advocated for a tougher stance against Iran and are likely to exert influence on the Biden administration’s approach to any potential negotiations.
The recent normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, brokered by China in 2023, coudl also play a role. While this development doesn’t necessarily signal a complete thaw in relations, it does create a potentially more conducive habitat for dialog.
Potential Obstacles to a Deal
Despite the encouraging signals, significant obstacles remain:
* Deep Distrust: Years of animosity and broken promises have created a deep level of distrust between the US and Iran.
* Domestic Political Considerations: Both in the US and Iran, political hardliners could oppose any agreement perceived as too conciliatory.
* Scope of Negotiations: disagreements over the scope of negotiations – whether to simply revive the JCPOA or to pursue a broader agreement addressing regional issues – could prove insurmountable.
* Verification Mechanisms: Ensuring effective verification mechanisms to guarantee Iran’s compliance with any agreement will be crucial,and potentially contentious.
The JCPOA: A Brief Recap
The JCPOA,originally agreed upon in 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 (the US,UK,France,China,Russia,and Germany),aimed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Key provisions included:
- Uranium Enrichment Limits: Restrictions on Iran’s uranium enrichment activities.
- Inspections: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections to verify compliance.
- Heavy Water Reactor: Modifications to the Arak heavy water reactor.
- Sanctions Relief: Lifting of economic sanctions in exchange for compliance.
What a Renewed Agreement Might Look Like
While the specifics remain uncertain, a renewed agreement could take several forms:
* Full Restoration of the JCPOA: A return to the original terms of the agreement, with both sides re-implementing their commitments.
* JCPOA plus: An expanded agreement that builds upon the JCPOA, addressing issues such as ballistic missiles and regional activities.
* Interim Agreement: A temporary agreement focused on de-escalation and confidence-building measures, paving the way for more comprehensive negotiations.
The path forward is fraught with challenges, but the convergence of Trump’s assessment and Iran’s signals offers a glimmer of hope for a diplomatic resolution. The coming months will be critical in determining whether this opportunity can be seized.
