The White House has warned Iran it would be “very wise” to strike a deal with the United States, as President Donald Trump considers fresh military action against the Islamic Republic over its nuclear programme.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president still preferred a diplomatic solution but was keeping all options on the table.
“There are many reasons and arguments that one could make for a strike against Iran,” she said. “Iran would be very wise to make a deal with President Trump and with his administration.”
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Her comments come as the United States increases its military presence in the region and a day after indirect talks between American and Iranian officials in Geneva showed what both sides described as limited progress.
According to US media reports, Trump has discussed possible attack plans with senior advisers and could authorise military strikes within days. Sources told the BBC’s US partner CBS News that no final decision has been taken and that discussions remain fluid.
The latest tensions follow American strikes in June on three Iranian nuclear facilities. Washington and its European allies suspect Tehran is moving towards developing a nuclear weapon. Iran has consistently denied that claim, insisting its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
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Diplomatic efforts continue. After talks in Geneva on Tuesday, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the two sides had reached an understanding on “guiding principles” that would frame further negotiations. He acknowledged that significant work remains.
The United States said “progress was made”, while Oman’s foreign minister Badr Albusaidi, whose country is mediating the talks, described the discussions as concluding with good progress on shared aims and technical matters.
Despite that, Leavitt cautioned that Washington and Tehran remain “far apart” on key issues. She said Iran was expected to return with more detailed proposals in the coming weeks and that the president would monitor developments closely.
Iran has said it wants negotiations to focus on its nuclear programme and the lifting of economic sanctions. The United States has indicated it also wants Iran’s missile development addressed as part of any agreement.
At the same time, the US has stepped up its military posture. Satellite images verified by BBC Verify show the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln operating near Iran, accompanied by guided missile destroyers and fighter jets. Another carrier, USS Gerald R Ford, is reported to be heading to the Middle East and is expected to arrive within weeks.
Iran has responded with defiant rhetoric. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei posted an image on social media appearing to show the Ford at the bottom of the ocean.
“The US President constantly says that the US has sent a warship toward Iran,” Khamenei wrote. “Of course, a warship is a dangerous piece of military hardware. However, more dangerous than that warship is the weapon that can send that warship to the bottom of the sea.”
He also accused Washington of trying to dictate the outcome of negotiations, calling such an approach “wrong and foolish”.
