Trump Claims Direct Iran Talks as War and Shipping Disruptions Continue
Washington says it may be nearing the end of its war with Iran, but Tehran has not confirmed renewed negotiations and continues to set conditions for talks.
US President Donald Trump has claimed that he has spoken directly with Iranian officials and that Washington is “hopefully toward the end” of its war with Iran. Tehran has not confirmed the contact or any resumption of direct negotiations.
Trump said Iran wanted a deal, but Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei said there would be no talks until Iran’s conditions were met. The nature, timing and participants of the alleged direct communication remain unclear.
Diplomacy has previously relied on intermediaries including Qatar, Pakistan and Oman. A Pakistan-brokered memorandum of understanding collapsed last month after Washington and Tehran accused each other of violating their commitments. Iran has said it would return to the agreement if the United States did the same.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has held consultations in China and spoken with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who has led mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran. China has urged both sides to show restraint and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict continues to affect maritime trade and energy supplies, with fighting and reported shipping disruptions involving Yemen and the Strait of Hormuz. US media have also reported that Trump is expected to meet Gulf leaders at the United Nations next week, although the supplied reporting does not independently confirm the meeting.
