Trump warns Khamenei: Be very worried... negotiations are threatened with collapse
In a new escalation of the American tone towards Tehran, US President Donald Trump issued a direct warning to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, advising him to be “very worried,” coinciding with the United States strengthening its military presence in the Middle East region, which portends a new phase of tension between the two countries.
Trump's remarks came during an exclusive interview with NBC News, where, in response to a question about the message he would send to the Iranian leadership, he said, "I can tell you they should be very worried. Yes, they should be." The US president pointed out that these warnings come at a time when Tehran is negotiating with Washington, adding firmly, "As you know, they are negotiating with us," indicating that military pressure is proceeding alongside the diplomatic track.
Negotiations on the verge of collapse
These fiery statements come at a highly sensitive time for the diplomatic process. The news website Axios reported that the US-Iranian talks, scheduled for Friday, were "on the verge of collapse." This impasse stems from US officials' rejection of Iranian demands to change the venue or format of the talks, reflecting Washington's firm stance and its unwillingness to make any symbolic concessions that could be interpreted as weakness.
Military context and history of the conflict
These statements cannot be separated from the volatile reality on the ground. Trump ordered the deployment of an additional US aircraft carrier to the Middle East in a clear show of force. The US president did not rule out further military action, especially in the wake of the US strikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites during the war Israel launched against the Islamic Republic last June—an event that fundamentally altered the rules of engagement in the region.
Dimensions of the conflict and its regional impacts
These developments are of paramount importance given their direct impact on the stability of the Middle East and global energy markets. While US-Iranian relations have historically been characterized by tension and conflict, the escalation to the point of direct threats against the Supreme Leader and talk of past nuclear strikes has placed the entire region on a knife's edge. Observers believe that the failure of the diplomatic track could lead to a new arms race in the region or direct military confrontations, the repercussions of which could extend to international shipping lanes and the security of neighboring countries.
Through its “maximum pressure” strategy, the United States seeks to force Tehran to make substantial concessions regarding its nuclear program and regional influence, while Iran is trying to maneuver to gain economic advantages and have sanctions lifted without giving up its strategic power cards, making the current scene open to all possibilities.
