In a press conference held at the White House, President Donald Trump mentioned that the deadline for negotiations with Iran could be set over the next month, suggesting a potential escalation if an agreement is not reached. He warned that if the negotiations did not result in a fair agreement, Iran could face serious hardships. Following his remarks, oil prices fell sharply, indicating market sensitivity to geopolitical tensions and expectations regarding potential military actions against Iran.

The Trump administration has been increasing military pressure on Iran, including deploying the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to the Arabian Sea, alongside the enhancement of military assets such as fighters and missile defense systems. Recent reports indicate that the U.S. Defense Department instructed preparations for sending a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East, reflecting an intensified approach towards Iran amidst ongoing tensions in the region.

Additionally, in relation to Iran's recent government crackdown on anti-government protests, there have been reports suggesting that the U.S. smuggled approximately 6,000 satellite internet terminals, specifically Starlink devices, into the country. This action occurred in January following Iran's decision to shut down the internet to quell protests that led to significant loss of life. This attempt to provide internet access parallels Iran's accusations that external forces were instigating the protests, even as the Iranian government struggled to present concrete evidence of such claims, attempting instead to suppress information about the state's violent response to dissent.