Washington: US President Donald Trump signalled Friday that Iran appears ready to negotiate a new deal to avoid American military action, even as he touted a massive US "armada" currently steaming toward the Persian Gulf.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, the president expressed optimism that a diplomatic resolution could be reached, while maintaining the "deal or else" posture that has defined his administration’s renewed pressure campaign.

Negotiation Under the Shadow of an "Armada"

"I can say this, they do want to make a deal," Trump said. When asked if he had set a specific deadline for Tehran to return to the table, he responded, "Yeah, I have," though he declined to specify the date, adding, "only they know for sure."

The president's comments come amid a significant military buildup in the Middle East. Trump compared the current naval strike group, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, to the task force deployed during the January 3 operation in Venezuela that captured Nicolás Maduro, claiming this new fleet is "even larger."

"Hopefully, we’ll make a deal. If we do make a deal, that’s good. If we don’t make a deal, we’ll see what happens," he added.

The Two Demands

The administration has narrowed its immediate focus to two primary conditions for de-escalation:

  1. Nuclear Program: A total abandonment of nuclear ambitions and enrichment capabilities.
  2. Human Rights: An immediate halt to the killing of protesters following a brutal crackdown on nationwide demonstrations that activists say has left over 6,000 dead since late December.

Trump cited Tehran’s reported decision to pause the execution of several protesters as a sign that the regime is feeling the pressure. "I think they’re ready to comply," he noted.

Tehran’s Defiant Response

Despite Trump’s optimism, Iranian officials have sent mixed signals. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking from Istanbul on Friday following meetings with Turkish officials, stated that while Tehran is "ready to begin negotiations if they take place on an equal footing," it will not do so under "duress" or military threats.

"I want to state firmly that Iran’s defensive and missile capabilities will never be subject to negotiation," Araghchi told state television. He warned that while Iran does not seek war, it is in a "state of war readiness" and prepared to defend itself "like never before" if the U.S. initiates an attack.

Regional Mediation

The tension has prompted a flurry of diplomatic activity. Turkey has officially offered to act as a mediator, with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirming he has held extensive talks with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. Meanwhile, the European Union has added its own pressure, recently designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation in response to the domestic crackdown.