U.S President Donald Trump says talks with Tehran are ongoing even after the United States military shot down an Iranian drone in the Arabian Sea.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Washington was negotiating with Iran but declined to say where the talks were taking place, adding that they were hopeful about the outcome.
“The talks are all over. But they are negotiating. They’d like to do something, and we’ll see whether it will be done. They had a chance to do something a while ago, and it didn’t work out. And we did Midnight Hammer, I don’t think they want that happening again,” said Trump.
Trump has been pressuring Iran to agree to talks over its nuclear program and has repeatedly threatened military action in response to the country’s crackdown on anti-government protests.
Trump and Tehran Talks Continue as US Downs Iranian Drone
Earlier, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that a US fighter jet from the USS Abraham Lincoln shot down the Iranian drone in self-defence and to protect the aircraft carrier and personnel on board.
“The Shahed-139 drone aggressively approached the aircraft carrier, which was sailing about 800km (500 miles) from Iran’s southern coast, with unclear intent. And it continued to fly toward the ship despite de-escalatory measures taken by US forces operating in international waters,” said the CENTCOM.
Also Read: Trump Prepares Multimillion Dollar Lawsuit Over Epstein File Claims
In addition, CENTCOM noted that after the incident, IRGC forces harassed a US-flagged and US-crewed merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Two IRGC boats and an Iranian Mohajer drone approached M/V Stena Imperative at high speeds and threatened to board and seize the tanker,” read part of a statement by CENTCOM.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that communication with the drone had been lost, and an investigation was underway to determine why the disconnection occurred.
Tasnim also highlighted that a vessel had entered Iranian territorial waters without the necessary legal permits.
“The officials said the vessel was warned and left the area, without any special security event taking place,” read part of the Tasnim’s statement
Iran Conditionally Agrees to Talks with US.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that he had opened the door to talks with the United States, but only under conditions that protect Iran’s national interests.
In a statement, Pezeshkian said he has instructed Iran’s Foreign Minister to prepare for negotiations, provided there is a suitable environment free from threats and from what he described as unreasonable demands.
Also Read: Iran Finally Accepts Negotiations With U.S, Sets Tough Conditions
Pezeshkian stressed that Iran is not opposed to dialogue but will not accept talks held under pressure or intimidation.
“In response to the request of friendly governments in the region to reply to the proposal of the President of the United States for negotiations, I have instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs that, should an appropriate atmosphere free from threats and far from unreasonable expectations exist, he should prepare the ground for fair and equitable negotiations based on the principle of dignity, wisdom, and expediency within the framework of national interests,” read the statement by Pezeshkian.
Since January, the United States has increased military pressure in the region.
An American aircraft carrier group has been deployed to Middle Eastern waters, and President Trump has issued repeated warnings that Iran could face military action if it refuses to negotiate or change course on its nuclear activities.
Iranian officials say this pressure is exactly what makes talks between the two nations difficult.
Iranian leaders argued that previous talks, including the 2015 nuclear deal, collapsed because the United States withdrew and reimposed sanctions.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
