United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday maintained that Iran is actively participating in peace negotiations, despite repeated denials from Tehran.
“They are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly. But they’re afraid to say it, because they figure they’ll be killed by their own people,” Trump said while addressing Republican lawmakers at a dinner.
“They’re also afraid they’ll be killed by us.”
His remarks followed a statement by Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, who insisted that “we do not intend to negotiate”.
Trump also reiterated claims that Iran was being “decimated” in the ongoing conflict, now in its fourth week, even as Tehran retains strategic control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route.
Turning to domestic politics, the US leader accused Democrats of attempting to undermine his administration’s military gains.
“They don’t like the word ‘war,’ because you’re supposed to get approval, so I’ll use the word military operation,” he said.
Earlier, the White House warned that Trump was prepared to escalate the conflict if Iran fails to concede.
“If Iran fails to accept the reality of the current moment, if they fail to understand that they have been defeated militarily and will continue to be, President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before,” said Karoline Leavitt.
“President Trump does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again.”
When asked about the status of negotiations, Leavitt maintained that discussions were ongoing.
“Talks continue. They are productive.”
She, however, declined to disclose the specific Iranian representatives involved, amid reports suggesting that Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf may be acting as an interlocutor.
The White House also did not confirm reports that senior US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, could meet Iranian representatives in Pakistan as part of mediation efforts.
Meanwhile, the US is deploying additional airborne troops and marines to the Gulf, fuelling speculation about a possible ground operation aimed at securing Iranian oil assets or the Strait of Hormuz.
The administration signalled that the conflict could last several more weeks, maintaining its earlier estimate of a four to six-week timeline for military operations.
