Trump Confirms US Officials Held Talks With Iranian Mediators
At a glance
- President Trump has confirmed US officials held talks with Iranian mediators.
- Trump did not provide further details on the discussions.
- The talks follow escalating rhetoric and threats from both Tehran and Washington.
Story so far
Tensions between the US and Iran have been high, with Iran's Supreme Leader threatening to clear 'enemy' forces from the Arabian Sea. Iran's Foreign Minister had stated Tehran was prepared for war but also open to diplomacy, adding that it was 'still waiting for an official response through mediators' from the US regarding a proposal. President Trump had previously indicated he expected talks to resume but had also publicly rejected an Iranian plan.
Latest development
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that American officials held talks with Iranian mediators on Tuesday. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump did not offer further details on the discussions.
Latest updates
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that American officials held talks with Iranian mediators on Tuesday. Speaking to journalists in the Oval Office, Trump announced the talks but did not provide any further details about their content or location.
The confirmation comes amid heightened tensions and follows statements from Iran that it was awaiting an official US response to its proposals via mediators. At the White House, Trump also repeated a previous claim that the US would win a potential war against Iran "very quickly".
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a strong warning, claiming in a statement that "the enemy" has been pushed back from southern Iranian coastal waters to the Arabian Sea and does not dare to advance further. The statement, released on the death anniversary of a former Hezbollah leader, added that the time is "fast approaching" when the Arabian Sea will be "cleared of their presence."
The remarks came as Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Tehran is "fully prepared" for a resumption of war, "even if it leads to an apocalyptic war," but is also ready for diplomacy. "It now depends on President Trump what he chooses," Araghchi stated.
Regarding a proposal Iran made to the US, which President Trump publicly rejected, Araghchi said that while they heard the rejection, they are "still waiting for an official response through mediators."
Iranian state media on Monday reported that the country has no plans for new negotiations with the United States, directly contradicting recent statements by US President Donald Trump. The official IRNA news agency, citing an unnamed source close to Iran's delegation at the UN General Assembly, stated, "Iran’s delegation in New York... has no plans for negotiations with the United States."
The report follows comments from President Trump on Sunday in which he said he expected talks to resume soon. This was a day after he had rejected a proposal from Tehran regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Responses
Latest Fact Checks
Iran has no plans to negotiate with US: state media
TEHRAN: State media in Iran on Monday reported that no new talks were planned with the United States, after US President Donald Trump told media he expected more negotiations. “Iran’s delegation in New York (for the UN General Assembly) has no plans
It’s a delicate balance for any leadership: projecting strength to a domestic audience while keeping diplomatic channels open. The real test is whether the quiet diplomacy can overcome the loud public rhetoric.
It’s a complex situation with mixed signals from all sides. The claim about capturing a drone through ‘electronic warfare’ is particularly interesting, but such claims are often hard to verify independently.
Dialogue is always a better path than conflict, especially for the stability of the entire Gulf region. Let’s hope these talks lead to a genuine de-escalation and not just more posturing.