Amid rising tensions, President Trump warns Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to be wary. The US and Iran are on the brink of formal negotiations, the first since the US bombed Iran's nuclear program last year. This comes after a deadly crackdown by Iranian security forces on nationwide anti-government protesters, which prompted Trump to send a military presence to the region and threaten strikes. Iran's military has vowed retaliation, warning of attacks on US forces and assets. Trump's comments come as a surprise, as he previously threatened strikes during Iran's clampdown on street protests. He claims his actions have supported the demonstrators, despite not taking direct action. The negotiations, set for Friday in Muscat, involve Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff. However, both sides have differing agendas. The US wants to discuss Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missiles, sponsorship of terrorist organizations, and human rights record. In contrast, Iran's primary demand is the lifting of sanctions and a focus on its nuclear program. This follows several rounds of indirect talks in April and May 2025, which were canceled after an Israeli strike on Iran. Trump argues that without addressing the nuclear program, there can be no peace in the Middle East. He also claims Iran was attempting to revive its nuclear program at alternative sites, which he threatened to disrupt. As tensions escalate, neighboring countries are mediating to prevent war, aware of the potential for widespread conflict and instability in the region. Recently, a US aircraft carrier shot down an Iranian drone that approached it in the Arabian Sea, and Iranian gunboats threatened a US-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's initial threat of military action came during mass anti-government protests in Iran, marked by a nationwide internet blackout. While internet connectivity has been partially restored, experts warn of ongoing challenges for Iranian internet access.
