Donald Trump has threatened Iran with a Venezuela-esque operation should it fail to come to an agreement on a nuclear deal.
The President said the US had "very good" talks with Tehran, the first since the US briefly joined the 12-day war with Israel last June.
However, Mr Trump added it "looks like they want to make a deal very badly", though that Iran was "willing to do much more than they would have a year and a half ago, or even a year ago".
His warning remained stark, though, insisting that consequences for the nation would be "very steep" if they did not reach a deal.
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The US armada near Iran is ready to "wait around awhile", as it did before last month's capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, while talks between Iran and special envoy Steve Witkoff continue.
The comments come as Mr Witkoff and Jared Kushner held indirect talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oman, who also said the talks had begun well.
Mr Trump is said to be looking to discuss ballistic missiles and pro-democracy demos - Iran is only willing to discuss their nuclear weaponry.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier in the week that the talks need to address Tehran's missile programme and its support for militant groups.
Donald Trump has threatened Iran with a Venezuela-esque operation should it fail to come to an agreement on a nuclear deal
|REUTERS
However, speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Friday, the President admitted a deal only focused on Iran's nuclear programme would be "acceptable", suggesting a shift in position.
"The one thing and right up front, no nuclear weapons," he said.
Mr Araghchi also said on Friday that discussions should focus solely on nukes and the military arsenal was not up for negotiation.
The President is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington next week, as he urges Mr Trump to remain strong on Iran's military program.
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Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that discussions should focus solely on nukes and the military arsenal was not up for negotiation
|GETTY
Following the 12-day war in June, Mr Trump claimed Iran's nuclear facilities had been "obliterated".
This week, he said Tehran was "thinking about starting a new site in a different part of the country".
There are also concerns the Ayatollah are refusing US demands to stop enriching uranium towards military-grade weapons.
Iran insists the programme is for civilian purposes.
The US demands this programme must permanently end, but Iran has strongly rejected their stance.
Much of Iran's nuclear facilities had been destroyed by US strikes last June
|REUTERS
And the battleship fleet, which is led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, continues to be on standby in the region.
Mr Trump said the US were in "no rush" to use the armada, adding: "We have plenty of time. If you remember Venezuela, we waited around for a while, and we’re in no rush."
Iran's military forces have been depleted even further following recent civilian unrest, leading to the deaths of thousands of protesters and military personnel.
Tehran said more than 3,000 people were killed, including hundreds of members of the security forces.
However, US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency puts the confirmed toll at almost 7,000, while opposition groups abroad claim the number runs into the tens of thousands.
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