White House Says Iran Would Be Wise to Make Deal as US Ramps Up Military Presence

Published: 19 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The White House has publicly urged Iran that it would be “very wise” to reach a deal with Washington, even as the United States continues to surge military forces into the Middle East amid mounting tensions with Tehran. The stark warning comes amid ongoing indirect nuclear talks in Geneva and a dramatic buildup of American naval and air assets in the region, underscoring the fragile balance between diplomacy and possible military confrontation.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed reporters on Wednesday, emphasising that diplomacy remains President Donald Trump’s preferred path in dealing with Iran’s contested nuclear programme. Leavitt underscored that while progress had been made in recent negotiations, the two sides are still “very far apart” on critical issues. She added that Tehran would be “very wise to make a deal with President Trump and with this administration” to avoid further escalation.

The diplomatic push follows a second round of indirect negotiations between US and Iranian representatives, mediated in Geneva. Although Iranian officials have suggested there has been “good progress” and an understanding on some “guiding principles,” Tehran has resisted Washington’s broader demands, maintaining that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes and calling for sanctions relief in return for concessions.

However, the diplomatic signals are set against a backdrop of significant US military movements. The Pentagon has repositioned two aircraft carrier strike groups, including the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln, along with fighters and support aircraft, to positions near Iran — a deployment widely interpreted as part of pressure tactics should negotiations fail.

Leavitt reiterated that Trump’s administration views diplomacy as the first option, even as military planners have told the president the US could be ready to initiate strikes if necessary. Senior US officials reportedly told CBS News that forces could be prepared for action imminently, though no definitive decision has been made.

The military surge aims to reinforce US deterrence posture after heightened tensions sparked by Iran’s internal unrest last month and Tehran’s rejection of key US demands. The situation is further complicated by Iran’s own force displays, including exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, which briefly closed the vital oil passage during live-fire drills — a move designed to demonstrate Tehran’s capabilities and resolve.

Despite the pressure, Iran’s leadership continues to insist that it does not seek war, while asserting that it will not capitulate to external demands that it considers unreasonable or humiliating. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other Iranian officials have warned that any attempt to impose outside will could provoke broader regional backlash.

Regional reactions have been mixed. Some Middle Eastern partners have urged restraint on both sides, warning that a full-scale conflict between the United States and Iran could destabilise the wider region and disrupt global energy markets.

Economists and analysts have also noted that the geopolitical uncertainty is directly influencing global markets, particularly energy prices, as investors weigh the risks of prolonged confrontation and potential disruptions in one of the world’s most important oil export corridors.

As negotiations proceed, Washington has set an expectation that Iran will respond with more detailed proposals in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, American military posture remains elevated, reflecting the dual strategy of keeping the door open to diplomacy while positioning for rapid action should talks collapse.

The evolving dynamic highlights the high stakes of the US-Iran relationship and the difficult balance between pursuing diplomatic breakthroughs and preparing for possible military contingencies. Analysts say that the outcome of these efforts — whether a deal is struck or tensions spiral — will have profound implications for regional stability and international security.

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