United States President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran is quietly interested in reaching a peace agreement but is too afraid to openly admit it.
Speaking at a fundraising dinner for Republican lawmakers on Wednesday, Trump said Iranian leaders are already engaging in talks behind the scenes, despite publicly denying it.
“They want a deal very badly,” Trump said, suggesting Iran’s silence may be driven by fear of backlash at home. He added that Iranian officials might even be worried about threats from both their own people and the United States.
His comments came shortly after Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, insisted that Tehran has no intention of negotiating.
The war between the U.S. and Iran is now in its fourth week, with both sides offering sharply different accounts of the situation.
While Trump claimed Iran is being heavily weakened, the country still maintains control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz a key global oil route.
At the same time, the White House says discussions are ongoing. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that talks with Iran are “productive,” even as tensions remain high.
White House Issues Strong Warning
Leavitt also warned that the U.S. is ready to intensify its actions if Iran refuses to back down.
“If Iran fails to accept reality… President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than ever before,” she said, stressing that the president is prepared to take decisive actions.
There is still confusion over who exactly is representing Iran in the talks, especially following reports about the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the absence of his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Some reports suggest that Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, may be playing a key role in ongoing discussions.
There are also indications that possible negotiations could take place in Pakistan, which is emerging as a neutral ground for both sides.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has begun deploying additional troops and military resources to the Gulf region, fueling speculation about a possible escalation, including a ground invasion.
The Trump administration has maintained that the military operation could last between four to six weeks.
Despite the rising tension, officials continue to insist that diplomatic efforts are still underway.
