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Tensions between the United States and Iran intensified over the weekend as President Donald Trump confirmed the movement of US naval forces toward the region, while Iranian leaders dismissed negotiations conducted under threat and warned that any military confrontation would rapidly expand beyond Iran’s borders.

Trump said Washington had conveyed a deadline to Tehran and claimed Iranian officials were “seriously talking” with the United States. Speaking publicly, he pointed to what he described as “big, powerful ships” moving in Iran’s direction, adding that he hoped diplomacy would still prevail.

Iranian officials rejected the framing outright. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said threats of war were neither new nor effective, warning that any US-initiated conflict would escalate into a regional war. He said Iranians would not be intimidated by military deployments or public warnings from Washington.

Iran Moves Against Europe After IRGC Terror Designation

The standoff widened after the European Union designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. In response, Iran’s parliament voted to classify EU member states’ armed forces as terrorist groups under Iranian law.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the decision was a direct retaliation, accusing European governments of acting at Washington’s behest. Lawmakers, some wearing IRGC uniforms inside parliament, said the move would allow Iran to pursue legal countermeasures.

Senior parliament member Alireza Salimi called for the immediate expulsion of European military attaches stationed in Tehran, arguing their presence now violates Iranian law. Parliamentary committees were instructed to press the foreign ministry to act without delay.

Regional Warnings and Diplomatic Scramble

Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani contacted several Persian Gulf states, warning that US embassies in the region could become targets if Washington launches military strikes. The message raised alarm across Gulf capitals already concerned about spillover risks.

Qatar moved quickly to promote de-escalation, with its foreign minister traveling to Tehran to urge restraint and diplomatic engagement. Saudi Arabia publicly rejected the use of its airspace for any attacks on Iran, distancing itself from potential military action.

US officials, meanwhile, privately downplayed the likelihood of a near-term agreement, saying Iran has not shown readiness to meet Washington’s conditions for a deal.

Military Readiness and Internal Security Measures

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said its forces are more prepared than during previous clashes, with senior commanders describing US movements as psychological pressure rather than a sign of imminent war.

Inside Iran, authorities expanded security deployments across major cities. Activists were detained, and officials issued warnings of severe legal consequences for unrest, including charges that carry the death penalty under Iranian law.

Civil aviation authorities said no new flight warnings had been issued and insisted domestic and international air traffic was continuing normally, despite heightened regional tensions.

Explosions Add to Uncertainty

The situation grew more volatile after two explosions struck southern Iran, one in the port city of Bandar Abbas and another in Ahvaz. Several people were killed. The Revolutionary Guard denied reports that a senior naval commander had died in the blasts, while Israel rejected any involvement.

Growing Pressure on Tehran From Within

Amid the external pressure, criticism from inside Iran continued to surface. Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani, daughter of a former Iranian president, said the political system must respond to public demands if it wants to survive. In remarks circulated online, she said internal reform — not foreign intervention — remains the only path forward.

As warships move closer and rhetoric hardens on all sides, regional actors are racing to contain a crisis that many fear could spiral far beyond diplomatic control.