White House calls on Iran for serious negotiations amid tensions

The White House has urged Iran to engage seriously with the United States, suggesting that Tehran would be “very wise” to reach an agreement. President Donald Trump escalated his pressure, hinting at potential military strikes amid rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear program.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt underscored diplomacy as the administration’s preferred path but delivered a stark warning: “Iran would be very wise to make a deal with President Trump and his administration.” She referenced previous U.S. actions, including reported strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, while emphasizing that military options remain on the table should talks fail.

This latest round of indirect negotiations between the U.S. and Iran resumed in Geneva on Tuesday with Oman as mediator. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the discussions as constructive, noting that both sides had agreed to “guiding principles” for future talks. He added that Tehran is currently drafting a coherent framework to advance these negotiations.

Meanwhile, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi spoke by phone with Araghchi, reaffirming Iran’s commitment to progressing towards a potential agreement. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted that his country does not seek war and emphasized the need for dialogue rather than confrontation.

On the U.S. side, Vice President JD Vance noted progress had been made but cautioned that Iran still needs to fully acknowledge Washington’s key “red lines” in negotiations. Trump escalated pressure on his Truth Social platform, hinting at possible military action linked to wider strategic concerns over Britain’s sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.

Reports indicate substantial U.S. military deployments across the Middle East, including aircraft carriers and destroyers, described as one of the largest since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. While CNN and CBS cite sources indicating strikes could be imminent, Trump has yet to make a final decision. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has reviewed military options designed to maximize damage, including targeted strikes aimed at key Iranian leaders and potentially destabilizing the government.

The fragile period after last June’s 12-day conflict, when Israel launched strikes on Iran in response to domestic protests and nuclear activities, is now a backdrop for these ongoing negotiations. Both sides continue to express desires for avoiding full-scale war but remain wary of each other’s military build-ups and public warnings. As indirect talks through Oman’s channels progress, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether diplomacy prevails or if renewed conflict looms closer.