PARIS, Jan 29 (ABC): United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned Iran that time was running out to prevent American military action, as Tehran rejected negotiations under what it described as military threats.
Trump said Iran must return to talks over its nuclear programme, which Western countries believe aims to develop atomic weapons. Iran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear arms.
Trump issues warning on nuclear talks
In a post on Truth Social, Trump urged Iran to negotiate what he called a fair deal.
He said Iran should agree to a settlement with “no nuclear weapons” and warned that delays could trigger military consequences.
Trump referred to US strikes on Iranian nuclear targets during the June conflict between Iran and Israel, which Washington supported and joined.
“The next attack will be far worse,” Trump said, warning Tehran not to repeat past actions.
US military presence increases
Trump said a US naval strike group was operating in the region. He described it as an “armada” led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
The carrier group has entered Middle Eastern waters, according to US officials, although they did not disclose its exact location.
Trump has never ruled out new strikes on Iran, especially after its crackdown on protests earlier this month.
Iran rejects talks under threat
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said diplomacy cannot succeed under military pressure.
He said Iran would not negotiate while facing threats or what he described as excessive demands.
Araghchi added that Iran had not sought talks and had no recent contact with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Iran’s armed forces chief of staff Habibollah Sayyari warned the United States against miscalculation, saying any attack would also cause damage to US forces.
Regional diplomacy intensifies
Iran has meanwhile stepped up diplomatic contacts with US allies in the region.
President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in an effort to reduce tensions.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani also held talks with Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
Qatar said it supported efforts to reduce escalation and seek peaceful solutions.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty also spoke separately with Iranian and US officials, calling for steps to ease tensions and revive dialogue.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan criticised renewed military threats, saying a new war against Iran would be wrong.
Rights groups report rising toll
Meanwhile, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that more than 6,200 people had been killed during Iran’s recent unrest.
The group said most of the victims were protesters. It added that tens of thousands had been arrested.
Rights groups warned that Iranian security forces were searching hospitals for wounded protesters. They said this reflected an escalation in the crackdown.
Iran also executed a man accused of spying for Israel this week, raising fears that some detained protesters could face the death penalty.