President Donald Trump is projecting growing confidence that a deal with Iran is close at hand, even as military threats and conflicting narratives from Tehran continue to cloud the situation.
Trump Says Iran Wants a Deal
Trump made clear that he believes Iran is actively seeking a resolution to the conflict.
“We have had very, very strong talks. We’ll see where they lead. We have points, major points of agreement. I would say almost all points of agreement,” Trump said.
He emphasized that the outreach came from Iran, not the United States.
“So they called. I didn’t call, they called. They want to make a deal.”
Trump framed the negotiations as consistent with his lifelong approach to diplomacy.
“My life is a deal. That’s all I do is deals my whole life.”
He also suggested that a resolution could come quickly, stating that discussions were ongoing and could continue immediately by phone.
Why Trump Is Delaying Military Action
Despite issuing a 48-hour ultimatum threatening to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants, Trump has now delayed those strikes by five days.
He tied the pause directly to progress in negotiations, calling the talks “productive” and “constructive,” and saying the delay is “subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions.”
The decision reflects a strategic shift. Trump is signaling that diplomacy may achieve what military force cannot, at least in the short term.
Who Trump Is Talking To and Who He Is Not
Trump confirmed that U.S. representatives, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, held extended talks with what he described as a “respected” Iranian leader. However, he made clear that the U.S. is not negotiating directly with Iran’s top authority.
“We have not talked to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei,” Trump said.
Instead, he indicated that the U.S. is working with figures he believes are capable of representing Iran’s leadership structure, even after significant losses among senior officials during the conflict.
Trump’s Demands and Vision for a Deal
Trump has outlined clear conditions for any agreement. The central demand is the elimination of Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
“We want to see no nuclear bomb, no nuclear weapon, not even close to it,” he said.
He added that the U.S. would seek control over Iran’s enriched uranium, a point Iran has historically rejected.
At the same time, Trump framed the broader goal as regional stability.
“We want to see peace in the Middle East.”
Conflicting Claims From Iran
While Trump describes active negotiations, Iranian officials are denying that talks are taking place.
“There has been no negotiation and there is no negotiation,” Iranian state media reported, accusing Trump of engaging in “psychological warfare.”
Iranian outlets have also portrayed Trump’s delay in military action as a retreat in the face of Iranian warnings. This sharp contradiction highlights the uncertainty surrounding the diplomatic process.
Markets React to Signs of a Deal
Financial markets have responded quickly to Trump’s announcement of potential progress.
Stocks surged initially, with the Dow Jones jumping more than 1,200 points before settling lower but still significantly up.
Oil prices, which had been rising sharply due to the conflict, dropped after news of the talks, with crude falling several percentage points.
Despite the relief, volatility remains high, reflecting ongoing uncertainty.
Global energy markets have already been shaken by the conflict, particularly due to Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.
