Military action depends on how seriously Iran takes Trump, envoy says

An Iranian official told CNN that the talks with the US on Tehran’s nuclear program and sanctions relief were “not genuine” and likely a “trap to draw the situation toward tension.”

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the pauses and delays—opposed by Tehran—as a “political and media game” by Washington and said Iran is preparing for failed negotiations.

A US official told CNN Saturday that “President Trump is completely sincere in his desire to reach a deal with Iran and is completely committed to getting one.”

“The United States will ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon, but also wishes for lasting peace in the Middle East, a new relationship with Iran, and for the Iranian people to reach their nation’s full potential,” said the US official.

Arya was criticizing Araghchi for visiting Pakistan before traveling to India for talks aimed at deescalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, following the Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

The clip quickly circulated online, prompting a public response from the Iranian embassy in New Delhi. In a statement, the embassy said: "Respect for guests is a long-standing tradition in Iranian culture. We Iranians consider our guests 'beloved of God. What about you?"

Following the Iranian reaction, the Indian embassy in Tehran issued its own clarification, writing: "The Embassy of India in Iran wishes to clarify that the person in this video is a private Indian citizen."

"His comments do not reflect the official position of the Indian government, which finds the disrespectful language used in the video inappropriate," the Indian embassy added.

Major Gaurav Arya is a very popular Indian personality with nearly two million followers on X including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His program "Chankaya Dialogue" also has over four million subscribers on YouTube.

"Military action depends on them [Iran], in whether or not they believe in taking President Trump seriously," Israel's Channel 12 reported citing US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.

In the Saturday interview, Huckabee emphasized that there will not be nuclear weapons in Iran.

"There won't be a deal that involves Iran with nuclear capacity."

"Iran insists on its right to use peaceful nuclear energy and that includes uranium enrichment," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said one day before the fourth round of talks with the US in Oman.

"We will not back down from the Iranian nation's nuclear rights. If the goal is to prevent Iran from accessing its legitimate right to peaceful nuclear energy, that will never happen," he said.

Araghchi, who was addressing an event held in Doha, said "Iran, in its indirect talks with the United States, emphasizes its right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and clearly states that it is not seeking nuclear weapons."

"Iran continues the negotiations in good faith, and if the goal of these talks is to ensure non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, an agreement is possible. However, if the aim is to restrict Iran’s nuclear rights, Iran will never back down from its rights."

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Esmaeil Baghaei in a statement on Saturday praised the two countries’ leaders in halting the conflict as a responsible and prudent move and expressed hope that the situation between India and Pakistan would return to normal as soon as possible.

He also emphasized "the importance of both countries seizing this opportunity to ensure a reduction in tensions and the sustainability of peace in the region."

Following a tense day of escalating conflict that risked spiraling out of control, India and Pakistan unexpectedly reached an agreement on an immediate ceasefire, putting an end to the most intense clashes in decades between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Earlier on Saturday, Pakistan reported that India had launched missile attacks on several of its military bases, prompting Pakistan to retaliate with strikes on Indian bases.

The pause in hostilities was first announced by US President Donald Trump, who shared on social media that the agreement followed a night of American-led mediation efforts.