WASHINGTON: The United States is “open for business” if Iran chooses to reach out, a U.S. official said as Washington steps up pressure on Tehran over its crackdown on protesters and mounting regional tensions.
“I think they know the terms,” the official told reporters when asked about conditions for talks. “They’re aware of the terms,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
The remarks come as the administration of Donald Trump maintains a dual-track approach of military deterrence and diplomatic signaling toward Iran, reports Reuters.
Trump said last week that the United States had an “armada” heading toward Iran, while adding he hoped force would not be required. He renewed warnings against Tehran over the killing of protesters and any move to restart its nuclear programme.
The president said he had been informed that the pace of killings had subsided and that he believed there were currently no plans to carry out executions of prisoners linked to the unrest. Widespread protests across Iran have eased in recent days after weeks of demonstrations.
Two U.S. officials told Reuters on Monday that a U.S. aircraft carrier and supporting warships have arrived in the Middle East, expanding Washington’s ability to defend its forces in the region or, if ordered, take military action against Iran.
The U.S. military has previously surged forces into the region during periods of heightened tension, often framing such deployments as defensive. However, Washington carried out a major buildup last year ahead of June strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Tehran has warned it would respond forcefully to any attack. “Iran will treat any strike as an all-out war against us,” a senior Iranian official said on Friday.
