Amid the deployment of the USS Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East by the US Navy, President Trump hinted at Iran seeking negotiations with the United States as military build-up in the region intensifies. At the same time, Iran’s economy is in crisis, with its currency hitting historic lows, sparking public outcry.
On Monday, January 26th, Trump suggested during an Axios interview that Tehran had “repeatedly” contacted the US and “wished to reach an agreement.”
“They want to make a deal. I know that. They’ve called and they want to talk,” the President told Axios.
According to Axios citing US officials, any potential deal would require Iranian authorities to remove all enriched uranium, limit stockpiles of long-range missiles, change support for regional proxy militias, and halt independent uranium enrichment activities, terms that Iranian leaders have not agreed to.
Trump also described the situation in Iran as “fluid” and emphasized that “a massive fleet” had arrived near Iran. This fleet is larger than Venezuela’s fleet, referring to the recent US naval deployment in Iran.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) posted on the social media platform X on Monday that the “Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is currently being deployed to the Middle East to promote regional security and stability.”
On January 21st, Trump told reporters, “We have a very powerful force heading to that area and you’ll be seeing what they’re doing. We have sent a very powerful force to the direction of Iran. I’d rather not say that, but we are watching them very, very closely.”
The US military mobilization comes at a time of continued unrest in Iran following anti-government protests that began on December 28th last year.
The Associated Press believes that the arrival of the Lincoln aircraft carrier and its accompanying missile destroyers equips the US with the capability to strike Iran.
Ambrey Security Company announced on Tuesday, January 27th, that its assessment indicates the US “has deployed sufficient military capability to conduct military action against Iran while maintaining the ability to shield itself and its regional allies from (Iran’s) retaliation.”
Ambrey Security Company stated, “Supporting or retaliating against Iranian protesters through punitive strikes is deemed insufficient to warrant sustained military conflict. However, targeting other goals, such as weakening Iran’s military capacity, may increase the likelihood of limited US intervention.”
The latest Iranian death toll released on Tuesday comes from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has provided accurate reporting during multiple rounds of protests in Iran. The organization verifies every death through its network of activists on the ground in Iran.
The organization confirmed that the fatalities include at least 5,777 protesters, 214 government-related individuals, 86 children, and 49 civilian bystanders. They also added that the crackdown has led to over 41,800 arrests.
Despite Iran’s air defense systems and military forces being paralyzed since Israel launched a war against Iran in June last year, Iran has repeatedly threatened to drag the entire Middle East into war. However, the economic pressure facing Iran may incite new turmoil as basic necessities gradually become unaffordable for the population.
On Tuesday, currency exchange shops in Tehran offered a historic low exchange rate for Rials against the US dollar. Traders declined to comment on the matter publicly, with some expressing anger at the situation.
Iran has significantly restricted its subsidized currency exchange rates to combat corruption. Additionally, Iran provides most citizens with a $7 monthly subsidy to cope with rising living costs. However, Iranians have witnessed the Rial depreciating from 32,000 to 1 million Rials per US dollar in just a decade, causing a significant erosion of their savings.
Moreover, according to the Iranian state news agency, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been hiding in a heavily guarded underground facility.
Axios reported that Trump is expected to hold further discussions this week, with White House officials stating that options for launching attacks are still under consideration.