Trump Says U.S. and Iran Held ‘Very Good’ Talks on Ending War. Iran Denies They’ve Spoken at All

**Tensions Mount as Trump’s Talks with Iran Draw Skepticism**

President Donald Trump has recently announced a five-day pause on threats to attack Iran’s power plants amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. This declaration comes on the back of what Trump described as “very good and productive conversations” between the United States and Iranian officials. However, Iranian authorities have outright denied the existence of any such discussions, labelling Trump’s claims as attempts at “psychological warfare.”

In a statement made via his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed optimism regarding the nature of these discussions, stating that they were “in-depth, detailed and constructive,” and anticipated further dialogue in the upcoming week. His remarks followed a more aggressive stance he adopted two days earlier, where he threatened to target Iran’s power supply if the country did not fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial maritime passage for global oil transport, with approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments passing through it. Trump’s earlier threats were a response to rising oil prices, which he has attributed to Iran’s actions in the region. Despite the optimistic announcements, a sudden drop in oil prices was reported following his pause, although prices rebounded after Iranian officials denied any negotiations were taking place.

Iranian state-run media have suggested that Trump’s decision to pull back from threats indicates a retreat. Reporting from the Tasnim agency stated that while some mediators have contacted Tehran, Iran remains firm in its position and will continue its defensive measures until it feels secure. Reports from semiofficial Iranian news outlets stated clearly that no talks had been held.

A state-owned publication echoed this sentiment, citing the Iranian foreign ministry, which accused Trump of trying to use the prospect of talks to manipulate energy markets and delay military operations. “While there have been initiatives by regional countries to de-escalate tensions, Iran’s position is clear: it did not start the conflict, and any requests for negotiations should directed towards the U.S.,” they stated.

Despite these denials from Tehran, Fox News host Maria Bartiromo reported that Trump informed her that Iranian officials were eager to negotiate. She indicated that key figures, including Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, were involved in the discussions.

Addressing the media outside Air Force One, Trump claimed potential miscommunications could mean some Iranian officials were unaware of the ongoing discussions. He maintained that the talks had been “strong” and he was hopeful, asserting that a successful outcome could resolve the issues at hand. However, he also cautioned that failure to secure an agreement could lead to further military action, stating, “If they don’t carry through with that, we’ll just keep bombing our little hearts out.”

Trump declined to disclose the identity of the Iranian contacts involved in the discussions, expressing concern for their safety. He indicated that he believed the reference individual was a highly respected figure, though he clarified it was not the current supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, whose status and wellbeing have come into question amidst the current conflict.

The situation remains tense as Trump insists negotiations could yield fruitful results, although he has carefully avoided guaranteeing any definitive outcomes. “I think if I were a betting man, I’d bet for it. But again, I’m not guaranteeing anything,” he concluded.

As the international community watches closely, the dynamics surrounding these developments inhibit both potential diplomatic resolutions and the risk of escalating military actions. The next few days are expected to be critical in determining if any substantive negotiations can unfold or if hostilities in the region will continue unabated.