Iran's president stated that the country has rejected direct negotiations with the US over its nuclear program, in response to a letter from President Donald Trump. Iran's response left open the possibility of indirect negotiations, but talks have made no progress since Trump withdrew America from the nuclear deal in 2018. Tensions in the region have escalated, with attacks at sea and on land, and the risk of military action targeting Iran's nuclear program remains. Iran maintains that its program is for peaceful purposes, but has accelerated its production of near weapons-grade uranium.