Faith Nyasuguta
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned of a forceful response to any attack on the country, following threats by U.S. President Donald Trump. This comes as Iran rejected direct negotiations with the U.S. over its rapidly advancing nuclear program, further escalating tensions between the two nations.
Trump has repeatedly stated that Iran must agree to curb its nuclear ambitions or face devastating consequences. In a recent interview with NBC News, he issued his starkest warning yet: “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing. It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.”
Trump’s rhetoric has heightened concerns of a military conflict, as both the U.S. and Israel have vowed never to allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. Tehran, meanwhile, insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes but has increasingly hinted at pursuing nuclear weapons amid rising tensions.
During his first term, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear agreement and reinstated harsh sanctions on Iran, leading to the collapse of the deal. His latest threats indicate that his administration remains committed to a hardline stance.
Khamenei, however, dismissed Trump’s threats, stating that Iran has always faced hostility from the U.S. and Israel. “They threaten to attack us, which we don’t think is very probable, but if they commit any mischief, they will surely receive a strong reciprocal blow,” he warned.
Escalating Military Tensions
Trump’s administration has ramped up military preparations in the region, deploying B-2 bombers and stealth aircraft to Diego Garcia, a key U.S.-UK military base in the Indian Ocean. Analysts view this move as a direct show of force to Iran.
Meanwhile, Trump has also turned his attention to the Houthis in Yemen, who have been attacking shipping routes in the Red Sea and are backed by Iran. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump warned: “Stop shooting at U.S. ships, and we will stop shooting at you. Otherwise, we have only just begun, and the real pain is yet to come, for both the Houthis and their sponsors in Iran.”
Since the outbreak of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, Iran has launched direct missile and drone attacks on Israel, while Israel has carried out multiple strikes on Iranian targets, reportedly degrading Iran’s air defenses.
Internal Division on Iran Strategy
Despite Trump’s aggressive stance, there are divisions within his administration on how to handle Iran.
His Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, are both known for their hardline approach. However, others in Trump’s inner circle, including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, favor a diplomatic solution. Witkoff recently told Fox News that the administration is open to negotiations with Iran.
Additionally, Elon Musk, a close Trump ally, reportedly met with Iran’s ambassador to the UN in New York in November. Musk has also been sharing posts about Iranian history, raising speculation about his role in shaping U.S.-Iran relations. Media figure Tucker Carlson, another Trump confidant, has publicly opposed military intervention in Iran, warning against dragging the U.S. into another war.
Despite these internal debates, Trump has continued his “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, imposing new sanctions while simultaneously proposing talks. Earlier this month, he sent a letter to Khamenei proposing negotiations, though Tehran remains deeply skeptical.
Iran’s Response
Iranian officials have confirmed that they rejected Trump’s offer for direct negotiations. However, President Masoud Pezeshkian indicated that indirect talks might still be possible.
In a statement aired by Iranian state media, Pezeshkian said, “We do not avoid negotiations. Rather, it is their unfaithfulness that has caused problems for us so far. They must prove that they can establish trust regarding decisions, and I hope this will materialize.”
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