US President Donald Trump has said he wants to avoid military action against Iran and plans to pursue further talks with Tehran over a possible nuclear agreement.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday at the premiere of a documentary about his wife Melania, Trump said he hoped force would not be required. Referring to recent military movements, he noted that while the US has strengthened its armed forces, he would prefer not to use them.

“During my first term, I rebuilt the military. Now some of our forces are moving toward a place called Iran,” Trump said. “I hope we won’t have to use them.”

Asked whether he intended to hold discussions with Iran, Trump said he had engaged in talks before and planned to do so again. He acknowledged that powerful US naval assets are heading toward the region but added that it would be best if they were never deployed in combat.

Speculation has been growing in recent days that the United States could launch an attack on Iran. On Monday, Washington deployed key military assets, including an aircraft carrier, to the Middle East and announced that additional naval forces would be sent. The US has also declared plans to conduct military exercises in the region.

In a speech on Tuesday, Trump said another heavily equipped naval fleet was on its way toward Iran, expressing hope that Tehran would agree to a settlement.

Iran, however, has dismissed Trump’s warnings. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that negotiations between Washington and Tehran would be impossible under threats. He argued that diplomacy cannot succeed when accompanied by military pressure and insisted that any talks must be free from intimidation and unreasonable demands.

According to a report by The Guardian, US Central Command’s air component announced on Tuesday that it would conduct a multi-day preparatory military exercise in the Middle East. The drills are aimed at demonstrating airpower, deploying fighter jets, and strengthening regional partnerships while maintaining readiness for potential strikes.

Details about the timing, location, and equipment involved in the exercises were not disclosed. The drills appear intended to showcase US military capability amid rising tensions with Iran.

Earlier this week, Central Command confirmed that a major naval strike group led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has arrived in the region. The carrier, which can carry dozens of fighter aircraft and around 5,000 personnel, is accompanied by guided-missile destroyers equipped with advanced air-defense systems.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has stated that it will not allow its airspace or territory to be used by any country seeking to carry out military operations against Iran. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman conveyed this position to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a phone call, according to the Saudi state news agency SPA.