"Lincoln" ship arrives in the Middle East, US announces military exercises, Trump says Iran seeks negotiations
On Tuesday, January 27, the United States announced that it would hold a several-day aerial military exercise in the Middle East. The day before, the US aircraft carrier "Lincoln" and its escort fleet had already entered the Middle East region. President Trump said on Tuesday that Iran was seeking to negotiate with the United States, but Washington continued to deploy military forces around Iran.
According to AFP, the US Central Command Air Force Command issued a statement on Tuesday saying that the exercise would "demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain air combat forces throughout the Middle East." The statement did not disclose the specific time and location of the exercise.
At the same time as the military pressure, Trump also sent a signal for negotiation. In an interview with the US media Axios, he said that the United States had deployed a "massive fleet" near Iran, which was "larger than when it was in Venezuela," but at the same time emphasized that Iran wanted to reach an agreement. Trump said, "They want to negotiate. I know that. They have called several times."
Axios quoted a senior US official as saying that if Iran initiates contact and clearly understands the conditions proposed by the US, "we are willing to have a dialogue." Trump did not specify the possible military options that the US might take. Analysts believe these options could include strikes on Iranian military facilities or targeted operations.
Regarding the situation in Iran, The New York Times reported that US intelligence agencies repeatedly assessed Trump that the Iranian regime is "weakening" and even in the "most vulnerable state" since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979. Republican Senator Lindsay Graham, a key figure in the party, also said that when he recently communicated with Trump, Trump said "the goal is to end the regime."
Iranian officials stated that communication channels between Iran and the United States remained open. On Tuesday, Iranian President Pezeshkian warned Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a phone call that the US's "threats aim to undermine regional security" and will ultimately bring "instability." Saudi Arabia had previously told Tehran that it would not allow its territory to be used for any potential military action against Iran.
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1855516364698761/
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