Pezeshkian Directs Nuclear Negotiations Resumption Amid US Deployments and IRGC Live-Fire Exercise Denials
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated that US military action would lead to a regional conflict
MIDDLE EAST — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian directed officials to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States on February 2, with discussions focusing on conditions without preconditions.
Regional mediators, including Oman, Turkey, and Russia, have facilitated efforts to prevent escalation. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated that US military action would lead to a regional conflict, emphasizing Iran’s defensive posture.
The United States positioned the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group in the Arabian Sea, comprising the carrier and accompanying destroyers, to address potential threats. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the deployment as foreign interference contributing to tensions.
The IRGC Navy stated no plans exist for live-fire exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, contradicting earlier state media announcements that prompted US Central Command advisories on navigation safety.
Iran scheduled joint naval exercises with China and Russia for mid-February in the northern Indian Ocean, involving both the regular navy and IRGC units. Tehran city council officials designated sites for potential US casualties, with statements indicating preparedness for retaliation.
