Iran Open to Regional Engagement as U.S. Boosts Military Presence in Middle East

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday Tehran is ready to engage with regional states to protect regional peace and stability, as the U.S. surges military forces in the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran.

“Iran always stands ready to engage with regional states to protect peace and stability in our region and shield it from unlawful aggression,” Araghchi said on X.

In a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Istanbul on Friday, Araghchi expressed Iran’s readiness to resume negotiations based on equality and mutual interests, IRNA news agency reported.

“Iran has never sought nuclear weapons and is ready to embrace a fair and equitable nuclear deal that meets the legitimate interests of our people; this includes ensuring ‘No Nuclear Weapons’ and guaranteeing the lifting of sanctions,” he said.

This comes as the USS Delbert D. Black, one of six U.S. destroyers, arrived in the Middle East, along with an aircraft carrier and three other littoral combat ships.

U.S. President Donald Trump signalled he was open to talks with Iran, even as Washington dispatches additional military assets to the Middle East.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the U.S. military was prepared to carry out whatever course of action the president decided.

Trump has warned Iran to return to negotiations over its nuclear programme or face far harsher U.S. action, while Tehran has threatened retaliation against the United States, “Israel” and their allies in the event of an attack.

Trump has also said the U.S. has an “armada” heading towards Iran, though he said he hoped it would not be used.