US President Donald Trump has rejected reports suggesting that negotiations between Washington and Tehran have come to a halt. He said communication between the two countries remains active despite ongoing tensions in West Asia.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump dismissed claims that the United States and Iran had stopped talking. He insisted that discussions have continued without interruption over the past few days.
“Fake News Reports that the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the U.S.A., stopped speaking a few days ago are false and erroneous. The conversations between us have been going on continuously,” Trump wrote.
While expressing optimism about the diplomatic process, Trump admitted that the final outcome remains uncertain. However, he urged Iran to reach an agreement with the United States.
“Where they lead, one never knows, but as I told Iran, it’s time, one way or another, for you to make a deal,” he said.
Trump Says Negotiations Are Progressing
Trump's latest comments came a day after he claimed that discussions with Tehran were moving forward quickly despite military tensions in the region.
“Talks are continuing, at a rapid pace, with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said in an earlier social media post.
His remarks directly contradicted reports published by Iran's Tasnim News Agency, which claimed that Tehran had paused communications through mediators because of Israel's ongoing military operations in Lebanon.
The differing accounts have created uncertainty around diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing regional tensions. Negotiators are also trying to address issues linked to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and concerns surrounding Iran's nuclear programme.
Iran Prioritises Ending Conflict in Lebanon
Iranian officials have indicated that ending the conflict remains their immediate focus. They have suggested that broader negotiations cannot move forward while military operations continue in Lebanon. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said detailed discussions on Iran's nuclear programme have not yet started.
“At this stage, our priority is ending the war,” he said. He also stressed that a ceasefire in Lebanon is necessary before wider diplomatic agreements can be reached.
Iran Accuses US of Failing to Honour Commitments
Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf criticised the United States and accused Washington of failing to uphold ceasefire-related commitments.
He pointed to the US naval blockade and developments in Lebanon as examples of what Tehran sees as non-compliance with previous understandings. His comments highlighted the deep mistrust that continues to affect relations between the two countries.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Major Obstacle
The status of the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as one of the biggest challenges in ongoing negotiations. Iran has repeatedly warned that it could continue restricting shipping through the strategic waterway. Officials have also hinted at increasing pressure through other important maritime routes in the region.
According to Iranian media reports, Tehran is prepared to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and could work with regional allies to apply pressure through routes such as the Bab al-Mandab Strait. These warnings have raised concerns because both waterways play a crucial role in global energy supplies and international trade.
Fears of Wider Regional Conflict
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has also warned that further escalation in Lebanon or Gaza could trigger a broader conflict across the region.
Despite these tensions, Trump signalled that the United States remains committed to diplomacy. He maintained that communication channels with Tehran remain open and expressed confidence that negotiations can continue.
For now, both sides appear to be keeping diplomatic contacts alive, even as disagreements over regional conflicts, maritime security and Iran's nuclear programme continue to complicate efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement.