Trump: Iran wants to talk, situation ‘in flux’ after US sent ‘big armada’ to Mideast

US President Donald Trump says Iran is interested in a diplomatic off-ramp to tensions with the US over its crackdown on protesters.

Trump tells Axios in an interview that the situation with Iran is “in flux,” noting that he sent significant American military assets to the region, while adding that Tehran is interested in a deal with Washington.

“We have a big armada next to Iran. Bigger than Venezuela,” Trump says.

“They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk,” he adds.

In a subsequent briefing with reporters, a US official says, “With regard to Iran, we are open for business. If they want to contact us, and they know what the terms are, then we’re going to have the conversation.”

Earlier this month, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said any deal would have to include a ban on uranium enrichment in Iran, the removal of already-enriched uranium, a cap on Tehran’s stockpile of long-range missiles and a rollback of the Islamic Republic’s support for proxies in the region.

Tehran has expressed willingness to negotiate with the US but has rejected those terms outright.

Citing informed sources, Axios says Trump hasn’t made a decision on whether or not to strike Iran after pledging to do so if the regime killed protesters — which it did in the thousands.

Trump is slated to hold additional consultations with his national security team this week, with his military options likely to expand following Monday’s arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to the waters of the Middle East.

Trump in his interview with Axios says he prevented an Iranian missile attack on Israel by giving Jerusalem the green-light to strike first during a 12-day war last June.