Trump on Iran threats: “We’ll see if he was right”

“The Americans should know that if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war,” Khamenei said on Sunday. Iran does not want war and will not start one, said the religious leader, who has the final say on all strategic matters. “But the Iranian people will deal a severe blow to anyone who attacks or causes harm.” Trump now appeared unimpressed and stated that he was still committed to an agreement. “Hopefully we will reach an agreement. If not, we will see whether he was right,” said the US President.

Trump had already threatened a possible new military attack in view of the violent suppression of protests in Iran last month that left thousands dead. Now he is also calling on Tehran to negotiate the Iranian nuclear program – and is also threatening military force if Tehran does not agree.

Revenge for the listing of the Revolutionary Guards

Iran’s declaration of EU forces as “terrorist groups” came a few days after EU foreign ministers designated the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization because of its brutal crackdown on anti-government protests.

The step, which has been controversially discussed for years, comes against the background of the events of the past few weeks, EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas said after a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels. Iran’s Foreign Minister Araqchi had accused the EU on

Iran’s President: Don’t seek war

Iran’s President Massoud Pezeshkian, meanwhile, spoke out in favor of a peaceful solution to the conflict with Washington after renewed military threats from US President Donald Trump. In a phone call with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Pezeshkian emphasized the “need to initiate diplomatic processes,” Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported. Iran has “never sought war” and is not seeking war now. The Islamic Republic is “deeply convinced that war would not benefit Iran, the United States or the region,” it said.

Tehran is preparing for negotiations, according to the country’s top security official. The Secretary General of the National Security Council, Ali Larijani, wrote on The talks about Iran’s nuclear program are taking shape “despite the increased threats of a military confrontation,” wrote the IRNA news agency, referring to Larijani’s X post.

The US news portal “Axios” reported in this context that Larijani met with Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in the Iranian capital Tehran on Saturday. Al Thani is trying to mediate between the US and Iran, it said.

Trump increases pressure

Trump had increased the pressure on Tehran with new threats. There are more warships heading towards Iran – “and hopefully we will make a deal,” said Trump in the White House. On a flight to Florida, he told reporters: “I hope they negotiate something that is acceptable.” In addition to stopping Iran’s controversial nuclear program, this should also involve limiting the development of ballistic missiles in Iran.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday that his country was ready for both negotiations and war. Defense strategies and missile systems would never be subject to negotiations. He warned the US that a military conflict this time could go beyond a bilateral war. Last June, the US military bombed nuclear facilities in Iran to accompany Israeli attacks.

Israel had waged war against its arch-enemy for twelve days. The USA is Israel’s closest ally. Trump has repeatedly threatened the leadership in Tehran with military strikes, including in connection with the brutal crackdown by state repressive forces against demonstrators in the recent anti-government protests in Iran. Thousands, if not tens of thousands of people are said to have been killed. The US military has significantly expanded its presence in the region since the beginning of January, for example with the aircraft carrier “USS Abraham Lincoln” and its accompanying ships.

Iran’s elite armed forces hold maneuvers

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards, considered the elite armed forces of the Islamic Republic and subordinate to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, want to begin a three-day exercise in the Persian Gulf amid military tensions. China and Russia should also take part.

The exercise in the Strait of Hormuz, in which live ammunition was to be fired, should not affect freedom of navigation and international commercial shipping in the important strait, the US regional command responsible for the Middle East (Centcom) had previously warned.

US military warns against provocations

The approximately 55 kilometer wide strait between Iran and Oman is considered one of the most important shipping routes for global oil exports. Iran’s units have the right to operate in international waters and airspace, the US military said in a statement. However, no “unsafe” maneuvers such as flights over US warships or bases at low altitude will be tolerated, it said. This also applies to the approach of Iranian speedboats on a collision course with US ships.

Consultations of the top generals of the USA and Israel

In view of the tensions with Iran, the US and Israeli chiefs of staff exchanged views at the US Defense Department on Friday, according to insiders. Two US government officials told Reuters on Sunday that US Chief of Staff Dan Caine and his Israeli colleague Ejal Samir had held confidential discussions at the Pentagon.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s office said Katz spoke with Samir on Sunday after his talks in Washington. The situation in the region and the operational readiness of the Israeli military “for every possible scenario” were discussed.