President Donald Trump said Thursday he plans to talk with Iran, while the United States maintains a heightened military posture amid rising tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program. Trump did not give details on timing or who would join the discussions, but he said he hoped military action would not be necessary. Trump also said significant U.S. naval forces stand near Iran. At the same White House appearance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon is prepared to carry out whatever the president orders related to Iran, and he repeated the U.S. position that Iran should not obtain nuclear weapons. The remarks followed Trump’s warning a day earlier that Iran should reach a nuclear deal or face a “far worse” next attack. Iran responded by threatening to strike back at the United States, Israel, and those supporting them, according to the same reporting. Oil Slips on Dialogue Signal as Russia Urges Negotiations Oil prices fell Friday after Trump’s dialogue signal eased some near term fears of a supply shock tied to a wider U.S. Iran clash. Brent crude fell $1.10 to $69.61 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate slid $1.25 to $64.17, Reuters reported. Russia urged Washington and Tehran to pursue talks and warned against using force. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the potential for negotiations had not been exhausted and said any strike could bring dangerous consequences and regional “chaos,” according to Reuters. The shifting risk picture also pulled in broader market attention beyond energy. A Guardian markets live report said Bitcoin fell 5% to $84,630 during the day’s volatility as investors weighed the Iran tension backdrop alongside moves in other assets
