Amid US President Donald Trump’s military action threat, thousands of Iranians have reportedly received a text message on their phones that read, “The US President is a man of action. Wait and see.”
According to Iranian state media, the message was in Persian language. It was sent from an anonymous number.
The development comes amid US military buildup in the Middle East. It also follows President Trump’s remarks that he is considering limited air strikes against Iran even as nuclear deal talks continue.
Both countries have held two rounds of nuclear deal talks this month with the next one slated to be held in Geneva on Thursday.
The Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is part of the talks, said after their last round of talks that Iran will present a draft proposal to the American side.
He said that while Tehran is still working on the draft, a deal could be reached between Tehran and Washington quickly.
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“We are still working on that (draft), and we are trying to make it something which consists of elements which can accommodate both sides’ concerns and interests. And we are working on those elements, and I believe that when we meet probably this Thursday in Geneva again, we can work on those elements and prepare a good text and come to a fast deal. This is my understanding. I see it quite possible,” Araghchi said during a CBS interview.
US military buildup near Iran
There is a US military buildup in the West Asia region where the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and more fighter jets have already arrived with reports that USS Gerald R Ford is also headed towards the region from the Caribbean.
US President Donald Trump’s Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, who is part of the nuclear deal talks with Iran, had Saturday said that Tehran could be about “a week away” from producing industrial-grade bomb-making material.
Witkoff claimed Iran has enriched uranium up to 60 per cent. He argued the levels exceed the need for civilian nuclear purposes.
Trump has given Iran 10-15 days to reach a deal. “We’re going to make a deal or get a deal one way or the other,” Trump had said last week.