Iran Wants a Deal, Talk to Us: Trump Signals Openness as US Expands Naval Presence in Middle East

As tensions continue to rise between the United States and Iran, US President Donald Trump has claimed that Tehran is seeking dialogue and a possible agreement with Washington. His remarks came as the US significantly strengthened its naval presence in the Middle East with the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group.

The comments from the 79-year-old Republican leader coincided with Iranian authorities acknowledging the arrival of a major American naval force—described by US officials as an “armada”—in the region on Monday.

“They want to make a deal. I know that for a fact. They’ve called many times. They want to talk,” Trump told Axios in an interview, signaling a willingness to engage diplomatically even as military pressure increases.

The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier, along with guided-missile destroyers forming its strike group, has been deployed to what US officials say is an effort to “promote regional security and stability.” However, Trump has previously indicated that the naval buildup is also intended to give him military options “just in case” action against Iran becomes necessary.

Emphasizing the scale of the deployment, Trump told Axios, “Right next to Iran, we have a big armada. Bigger than Venezuela.”

Earlier this month, Trump had urged Iranians to continue protesting against their government, repeatedly warning that the US would respond if demonstrators were harmed and stating that “help is on the way.” According to Human Rights groups, at least 6,126 people have been killed in Iran during a crackdown on widespread protests.

Iranian authorities, however, have placed the death toll at 3,117, claiming that 2,427 of those killed were civilians and members of the security forces, while the remaining individuals were labeled as “terrorists,” according to a report by The Associated Press.

The arrival of the US carrier group has triggered strong reactions from Iran-backed militant groups across the Middle East. Yemen’s Houthi rebels indicated they were prepared to resume attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, while Iraq-based Kataib Hezbollah warned that any strike on Iran would result in a “total war” across the region.

Iran’s Defense Ministry spokesperson, General Reza Talaei-Nik, issued a direct warning, stating that any attack by Israel and/or the United States would be met with a response “more painful and more decisive than in the past.”

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei expressed confidence that Iran would receive backing from neighboring countries in the event of a conflict. “Regional countries fully understand that insecurity does not affect Iran alone. Instability is contagious,” he said.

In a notable regional development, the United Arab Emirates announced on Monday that it would not allow its territory or airspace to be used for “hostile military actions against Iran.” The UAE hosts thousands of US troops at the Al Dhafra Air Base, a key American military installation in the Gulf.

At the same time, a senior Iranian military official sought to downplay the significance of the US naval deployment, calling the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln an “exaggeration.” The official asserted that Iran has significantly enhanced its military readiness and is fully prepared to respond to any potential aggression, according to The Associated Press.