Iran Rules Out Broader Talks as Trump Signals Possible Second Carrier Deployment.
Iran said Wednesday it is willing to negotiate with the United States over its nuclear program but firmly rejected expanding talks to include its ballistic missile arsenal, drawing a clear line as diplomatic efforts intensify and military pressure mounts in the region.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking in Tehran during ceremonies marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, reiterated that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons and is prepared to accept verification measures. At the same time, senior Iranian officials made clear that missile capabilities and broader defense issues remain off the table.
“We are not seeking nuclear weapons and we are ready for any kind of verification,” Pezeshkian told crowds gathered in the capital. But advisers to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei emphasized that Iran’s missile program is non-negotiable, describing it as a core component of national defense.
The remarks come as President Donald Trump increases both diplomatic outreach and military signaling. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier is already operating in the region, and Trump indicated this week that a second carrier group could be deployed if negotiations falter.
“We have an armada that is heading there and another one might be going,” Trump said in an interview, warning that time is “running out” for Tehran to reach what he described as a fair agreement.
The escalating rhetoric coincides with renewed talks between U.S. and Iranian officials, including a recent round of discussions in Oman. While Trump has said negotiations are underway, he has also warned that failure to reach a deal could result in decisive military action.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met Trump in Washington, is expected to press for any agreement to address not only Iran’s nuclear activities but also its expanding ballistic missile stockpiles and support for regional proxy groups. Israeli officials view Iran’s missile arsenal as a direct and immediate threat, particularly after last year’s 12-day conflict between the two countries.
Iranian leaders, however, have rejected linking missile discussions to nuclear negotiations. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier this week that while nuclear talks are possible, Iran’s defense capabilities “will never be negotiated.”
Tensions have been further heightened by domestic unrest inside Iran. Nationwide protests erupted in late December over rising living costs before evolving into broader anti-government demonstrations. Human rights groups report thousands of deaths during the crackdown, though official figures released by Iranian authorities are significantly lower. Independent verification of casualty numbers remains difficult.
As the diplomatic track continues, both sides are balancing pressure and positioning. Washington has expanded its military presence in the Middle East, while Tehran has warned that any attack would trigger a regional confrontation. Iranian military leaders say forces are on high alert.
Despite the hardened rhetoric, officials in both capitals have signaled that negotiations remain possible. The coming weeks are likely to determine whether talks yield a limited nuclear understanding or whether escalating military deployments push the crisis toward a more dangerous phase.
