Negotiation Framework with US Taking Shape, Says Senior Iranian Official

Cairo: A senior Iranian security official has said that efforts to establish a framework for negotiations with the United States are moving forward.

“The formation of a structure for negotiations is progressing,” Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, said in a post on social media platform X, without providing further details.

His remarks came a day after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where the two discussed economic cooperation along with key regional and international developments, according to Xinhua news agency.

The statement comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, as Washington continues to strengthen its military presence in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump recently said that a “massive armada,” led by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, was heading towards Iran, signalling an increased risk of confrontation even as the US maintains that diplomatic options remain open.

On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed that the US guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black made a routine port call at Eilat on the Red Sea, highlighting ongoing US-Israeli military coordination. Later the same day, Trump said he had conveyed a deadline directly to Tehran, though he declined to reveal its details.

On Saturday, Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich wrote on X that during an interview earlier in the day, Trump indicated that Washington hopes to continue talks with Iran and achieve tangible outcomes. According to Heinrich, Trump also said that the US had not informed its Middle East allies about its plans regarding Iran.

Iran had earlier signalled its willingness to return to negotiations to ease rising tensions, but stressed that talks must be fair and not conducted under threats or pressure.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Army Chief, Amir Hatami, warned that any miscalculation by the United States would endanger not only its own security but also that of Israel and the wider West Asia region.

Separately, a Yemeni military source said the Houthi group has taken several military and field-level measures to boost combat readiness amid growing regional tensions, including the possibility of a US attack on Iran.

These developments have raised concerns among regional leaders and prompted renewed calls from the international community for diplomacy to prevent further escalation.

With inputs from IANS