President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stating he should be “very worried” as the two nations prepare for high-stakes diplomatic talks.

The warning was delivered during an interview with NBC News, just days before U.S. and Iranian officials are scheduled to meet.

The Warning

The Statement: When asked if Ayatollah Khamenei should be concerned about the current U.S. stance, Trump replied, “I would say he should be very worried. Yeah, he should be.”

Specific Threat: Trump claimed that Iran had attempted to restart its nuclear program at previously targeted sites but found them “obliterated.” He warned that if Tehran attempts to build new nuclear facilities, the U.S. would do “very bad things” to them.

Rationale: Trump asserted that previous U.S. military actions (referencing strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in mid-2025) have weakened the regime and that his administration is “having the back” of anti-government protesters in Iran.

The warning comes amid a fragile diplomatic environment. Negotiations are scheduled for Friday, February 6, in Muscat, Oman, though they nearly collapsed earlier in the week.

• Dispute over Location & Agenda: The talks were initially planned for Turkey but were moved to Oman at Iran’s insistence.
  • U.S. Position: The Trump administration (represented by Envoy Steve Witkoff) wants a broad discussion covering Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missiles, support for regional proxies, and human rights/protests.
  • Iran’s Position: Tehran (represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi) has insisted the talks be limited strictly to nuclear issues and sanctions relief, calling their missile program non-negotiable.
• Military Buildup: The diplomatic push is happening alongside a significant U.S. military buildup in the region, which Trump has described as an “armada,” intended to pressure Tehran into concessions.

The current standoff is shaped by events from the previous year:

• 2025 Strikes: Tensions remain high following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in June 2025 that targeted Iranian nuclear infrastructure.
• Internal Unrest: Iran has been facing renewed waves of anti-government protests, which the U.S. has rhetorically supported, further angering the Iranian leadership.