White House Urges Iran to Pursue Diplomatic Deal Amid Military Buildup
The White House has stated that Iran would be "very wise" to reach an agreement with the United States, as reports emerge that President Donald Trump is considering new military actions against the Islamic Republic.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the media during a briefing, emphasizing that President Trump remains hopeful for a diplomatic solution regarding Tehran's nuclear program.
Her remarks coincide with the deployment of a second US battleship to the region, following reports of progress in US-Iran negotiations held in Switzerland the previous day.
Potential Military Action Discussed
US media outlets reported on Wednesday that President Trump had consulted with his advisers about possible attack options, with a US strike potentially occurring as early as Saturday. Last summer, the US military carried out strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
The BBC's US partner CBS reported that senior national security officials informed Trump that the military was prepared for possible strikes on Iran starting Saturday.
Sources told CBS that Trump had not made a final decision regarding an attack, describing the discussions as fluid and ongoing.
Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday,
"There are many reasons and arguments that one could make for a strike against Iran."
She referenced the US strikes in June, adding,
"Iran would be very wise to make a deal with President Trump and with his administration."
Progress in Geneva Talks
Her comments came one day after Iran and the US announced progress in talks held in Geneva concerning Tehran's nuclear program.
The US and its European allies suspect Iran is advancing toward developing a nuclear weapon, a claim Tehran has consistently denied.
When asked about the Geneva negotiations, the White House press secretary stated that Washington and Tehran remain "far apart" on several key issues.
Leavitt said,
"I think you heard from the administration and the state department yesterday that there was a little bit of progress made, but we're still very far apart on some issues."
She added,
"I believe the Iranians are expected to come back to us with some more detail in the next couple of weeks, and so the president will continue to watch how this plays out."
Leavitt declined to comment on whether Israel would be involved in the US decision-making process.
US Military Build-Up in the Region
The United States has been increasing its military presence in waters near Iran, while satellite images indicate Iran is reinforcing sensitive military sites.
BBC Verify has confirmed the location of the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which is equipped with guided missile destroyers and dozens of fighter jets, positioned near Iran.
The US has also reportedly dispatched the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest warship, to the Middle East, with an expected arrival within the next three weeks.
A US official and a senior military official told CBS that all US military forces deployed to the region are anticipated to be in place by mid-March.
Iran's Response and Statements from Supreme Leader
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, posted an AI-generated image on X on Tuesday depicting the USS Gerald R. Ford at the bottom of the ocean.
He stated,
"The US President constantly says that the US has sent a warship toward Iran. Of course, a warship is a dangerous piece of military hardware."
"However, more dangerous than that warship is the weapon that can send that warship to the bottom of the sea."
Khamenei also accused the US of attempting to predetermine the outcome of negotiations, describing such actions as "wrong and foolish."
Iranian Military Drills in Response
In response to the US military buildup, Iran has demonstrated its own show of force. On Monday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducted a maritime drill in the Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical international waterway and a major oil export route for Gulf Arab states.
