Iranian Official Claims US Preparing for War Under Cover of Diplomacy

An unnamed senior Iranian official has claimed that Tehran possesses intelligence suggesting the United States is preparing for a military confrontation with Iran, using diplomatic talks as a façade for its strategic buildup.

In statements published Thursday by Iran’s state-run Press TV, the official warned that Iran should prioritize readiness for conflict rather than engaging in what he described as deceptive negotiations.

“Our intelligence indicates that Washington is pursuing dialogue not for peace, but to prepare for war,” the official said. “If this is the case, we see no reason to waste time and prefer to focus on preparing for conflict.”

Iran Demands Guarantees Ahead of Any Future Talks

The official went on to accuse the U.S. of seeking to disarm Iran as a means to compensate for what he called “Israel’s weakness in the upcoming war.” He emphasized that any new round of talks must include strong and verifiable guarantees to ensure negotiations are not used as a cover for a security deception.

“Future negotiations must seriously address core issues — including Israel’s nuclear arsenal and reparations for the last war,” he said.

U.S. Envoy Under Scrutiny

The Iranian official also singled out U.S. envoy Steve Weitekamp (rendered as Steve Weitkoff in Press TV), saying Iran needs assurance that he will act as a genuine mediator rather than an instigator of conflict.

“Providing such guarantees is extremely difficult, but we are willing to give the U.S. another chance — to hear what they have to say and observe their actions,” the official added.

These remarks reflect Iran’s growing skepticism about American diplomatic overtures amid heightened regional tensions and come at a time when indirect talks between Tehran and Washington remain stalled.