1 hour ago
Last Updated:February 04, 2026, 07:34 IST
Donald Trump said Washington is actively negotiating with Iran, after US Central Command officials said an Iranian drone was shot down after approach towards US aircraft carrier.
A file photo of Donald Trump (AP)
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Washington is in active negotiations with Iran, warning that Tehran appears keen to avoid another military confrontation like what he described as “Midnight Hammer."
Speaking to reporters during an Oval Office event, Trump said the Iranians were already engaged in talks and were wary of renewed hostilities.
“They’re all over it, but they are negotiating. They’d like to do something, and we’ll see if something is gonna be done. They had a chance to do something a while ago, and it didn’t work out, and we did Midnight Hammer," Trump said.
“I don’t think they want that happening again, but they would like to negotiate. We are negotiating with them right now, yes," he said.
President Donald J. Trump told reporters earlier during an event in the Oval Office that negotiations are ongoing with Iran and that they do not want another Midnight Hammer.“They’re all over it, but they are negotiating. They’d like to do something, and we’ll see if something… pic.twitter.com/IQbbfBp9nI
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 3, 2026
Trump’s comments came after US Central Command officials said an Iranian drone was shot down after what was described as an “aggressive approach" toward a US aircraft carrier in international waters.
Captain Tim Hawkins was quoted as saying that an F-35C fighter jet destroyed the drone to ensure the safety of the ship and its crew, adding that no American personnel were harmed.
Hours later, Hawkins said two Iranian gunboats and a Mohajer drone harassed a US-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening over the radio to board and seize the vessel before US forces intervened and escorted it away.
Describing the episodes as examples of Iran’s “unprofessional and aggressive behaviour," the spokesperson warned that such actions increased the risk of miscalculation in the region.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said he had directed the country’s foreign minister to pursue “fair and equitable negotiations" with the United States.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also confirmed that Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff was planning to meet Iranian officials in Turkey later this week, despite a drone incident involving US naval forces.
“President Trump is always wanting to pursue diplomacy first, but obviously it takes two to tango," Leavitt said.
“You need a willing partner to achieve diplomacy, and that’s something that special envoy Witkoff is intent on exploring and discussing," she said.
The shift toward negotiations appeared to have backing from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who had previously dismissed talks with Washington.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said discussions were expected within days, although the venue and format were still under consideration.
Separately, Khamenei adviser Ali Shamkhani told broadcaster Al Mayadeen that any engagement would initially be indirect and confined to nuclear issues, with direct talks possible only if a deal looked achievable.
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First Published:
February 04, 2026, 07:34 IST
News world 'We're Negotiating With Them Right Now': Trump After US Downs Iranian Drone In Arabian Sea
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