Trump ‘seriously’ weighs Iran offer for indirect nuclear talks

The Biden administration is actively considering an Iranian proposal for indirect nuclear negotiations, even as it increases its military presence across the Middle East in preparation for any potential military response from President Donald Trump, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Although Trump has expressed a preference for striking a new nuclear deal, he has also issued a stern warning that military action will follow if an agreement isn’t reached soon. A two-month deadline has reportedly been set, though it’s unclear when the countdown began.

Talks Through Oman and Military Readiness

Iran recently delivered a formal response to a letter President Trump sent to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressing willingness for indirect negotiations via Oman rather than direct talks. While the White House prefers face-to-face discussions, officials have said they are open to Oman’s mediation role, which has been effective in past diplomatic efforts between the two nations.

Internal divisions within the administration persist, with one camp still optimistic about securing a deal, while others are pushing for airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, arguing that diplomacy has reached its limits.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Defense has taken extensive steps to bolster its readiness in the region. Two aircraft carriers, the USS Truman and USS Vinson, will stay deployed in the Middle East, while B-2 stealth bombers capable of carrying powerful bunker-busting weapons have been stationed at Diego Garcia. These bombers would be essential if the U.S. opted to strike Iran’s fortified nuclear sites.

Pentagon officials stressed that the military buildup is intended to strengthen deterrence and ensure swift response capability should diplomatic talks collapse or Iran escalate tensions. Additional troops and air assets have also been deployed to reinforce U.S. posture.

Tensions Escalate, Iran Warns of Retaliation

Iran’s leadership has responded aggressively to Trump’s threats. Supreme Leader Khamenei warned of a harsh retaliatory blow if the U.S. takes military action, emphasizing that while he doubts the U.S. will attack, any such move would not go unanswered.

Tehran also filed a formal protest via the Swiss embassy, which acts as a liaison for U.S.-Iran diplomatic communications, and reiterated that any act of aggression would be met with immediate and decisive retaliation.

Senior figures in Iran, including a commander in the Revolutionary Guards, highlighted the vulnerability of U.S. military assets in the region, referencing the presence of tens of thousands of American troops and multiple bases as potential targets in the event of a conflict.

Khamenei’s adviser, Ali Larijani, noted that a U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear sites could push public sentiment toward developing nuclear weapons—something Tehran has long denied seeking.

Nuclear Brinkmanship and the Path Ahead

Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement during his first term, adopting a strategy of maximum pressure in hopes of forging a new, more restrictive deal. Despite the sanctions, Iran has significantly increased its uranium enrichment, positioning itself as a nuclear threshold state. While Tehran insists its nuclear ambitions remain peaceful, its refusal to negotiate on its missile program and other regional activities complicates U.S. demands.

As the situation develops, the Biden administration is caught balancing its diplomatic efforts through back channels with military preparedness. U.S. officials emphasize that the buildup is not a prelude to war but a strategy to bolster leverage during high-stakes negotiations.

The coming weeks may determine whether diplomacy can pull both sides back from the edge, or if the rhetoric turns into a more dangerous confrontation.