A senior U.S. official told reporters on Monday that Washington is prepared to receive overtures from Tehran, saying the United States is "open for business" should Iran wish to make contact. When pressed about the specific terms under which talks might occur, the official said, "I think they know the terms" and added, "They're aware of the terms."
The comments occurred against the backdrop of ongoing U.S. efforts to press Iran over a domestic crackdown on protesters. President Donald Trump reiterated warnings to Tehran on Thursday, saying the United States had assembled an "armada" en route to the region but expressing hope that military force would not be necessary. In his remarks, the president cautioned Iran against killing protesters or restarting its nuclear program.
Trump had previously warned of potential intervention if Iranian authorities persisted in lethal actions against demonstrators, though officials have since reported that the widescale demonstrations have diminished. The president stated he had been informed that killings were subsiding and that, to his knowledge, there was presently no plan for the executions of prisoners.
Separately, two U.S. officials confirmed on Monday that a U.S. aircraft carrier, accompanied by supporting warships, has arrived in the Middle East. That deployment increases U.S. capacity both to defend American forces in the region and to undertake potential military operations aimed at Iran. Historically, the U.S. military has moved forces into the Middle East in response to spikes in tension, actions that were frequently defensive in character.
Nevertheless, the U.S. conducted a significant buildup last year in advance of strikes in June directed at Iran's nuclear program, a move highlighted by the administration as a precedent for large-force deployments. In response to recent U.S. statements and deployments, a senior Iranian official warned on Friday that Tehran would view any attack as "an all-out war against us."
Contextual note: The public remarks and movements cited above reflect statements by U.S. and Iranian officials and reported arrivals of U.S. naval forces. They indicate simultaneous U.S. openness to engagement and preparedness to apply military pressure, but do not outline any negotiated terms or forthcoming diplomatic contacts.