US-Iran talks appear to be progressing, according to Tehran’s top security official on Saturday, even as military tensions remain high in the region and Iran’s army chief issued warnings against any potential strikes from Washington.
Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, stated that “structural arrangements for negotiations are progressing,” a day after holding talks in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a post on X, he noted this was “contrary to the hype of the contrived media war.”
In a parallel diplomatic effort, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, that Tehran is not seeking conflict. “The Islamic Republic of Iran has never sought, and in no way seeks, war and it is firmly convinced that a war would be in the interest of neither Iran, nor the United States, nor the region,” the Iranian presidency quoted Pezeshkian as saying during the call.
Confirming the dialogue, US President Donald Trump told Fox News, “(Iran is) talking to us, and we’ll see if we can do something, otherwise we’ll see what happens…We have a big fleet heading out there.” He added, “They are negotiating.”
These developments come as Qatar’s Premier and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, met with Larijani in Tehran to discuss efforts to “de-escalate tensions in the region,” according to Qatar’s foreign ministry.
Fears of Military Confrontation
The diplomatic overtures are set against a backdrop of significant military posturing. Washington has deployed a naval group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to the waters off Iran. This has raised fears of a direct confrontation, with Tehran warning it would respond to any attack with missile strikes on US interests and allies, including Israel.
Iranian army chief Amir Hatami warned both the US and Israel against launching an attack, stating his forces were “at full defensive and military readiness.” He added that Iran’s nuclear technology “cannot be eliminated” and that any “mistake” by the enemy would “endanger its own security, the security of the region, and the security of the Zionist regime,” as reported by the official IRNA news agency.
The heightened alert follows recent nationwide protests in Iran over the cost of living, which evolved into a wider anti-government movement. The official government death toll from the events stands at 3,117. However, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports a significantly higher figure, stating it has confirmed 6,563 killed, including 124 children.
Progress is being made in US-Iran talks aimed at preventing a military confrontation, according to high-level statements from Tehran and Washington. Iran’s top security official confirmed that arrangements for negotiations are advancing, a sentiment echoed by US President Donald Trump who acknowledged that a dialogue is underway. These discussions are taking place amid a period of intense regional tension.
The diplomatic efforts, which also involve mediation from Qatar, are occurring as the US has deployed significant naval assets near Iran. While both sides are exploring negotiations, Iran’s military leadership has issued stern warnings against any potential attacks. The context for these US-Iran talks includes recent widespread protests within Iran and continued debate over Tehran’s nuclear program.
According to multiple media sources.
