US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran is eager to negotiate an end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, despite firm denials from Tehran that formal talks are underway.
Speaking at an event in Washington on Wednesday, Trump said Iranian leaders were “desperate” to strike a deal but reluctant to admit it publicly.
“They are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they’re afraid to say it,” he said.
His remarks contradict statements from Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who maintained that no direct negotiations with the United States were taking place. Araqchi said communication between the two sides had been limited to indirect exchanges through intermediary countries.
“Messages being conveyed through our friendly countries and us responding by stating our positions or issuing the necessary warnings is not called negotiation or dialogue,” he said in a televised interview. “It is simply an exchange of messages.”
The conflict, now entering its fourth week, began following coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28, triggering retaliatory attacks by Tehran on Israeli targets, US bases and Gulf states.
The situation has been further complicated by leadership upheaval in Iran. Supreme leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in an Israeli strike at the onset of the conflict and succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has since been injured and has not appeared publicly.
A proposed 15-point plan from Washington, reportedly delivered to Iran via Pakistan, includes demands for Tehran to dismantle its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, halt nuclear enrichment, curb its ballistic missile programme and end financial support to regional allies.
The White House has not disclosed details of the proposal but warned of further military escalation if Iran fails to comply. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US would intensify its strikes if Tehran does not acknowledge what Washington views as a military defeat.
Meanwhile, Israel remains cautious about the prospects of a deal, with officials expressing concern that negotiations could lead to concessions. Israeli sources have also indicated that any agreement must preserve the country’s ability to carry out pre-emptive strikes.
The broader impact of the conflict is being felt globally, particularly in energy markets. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes—has triggered widespread fuel shortages and soaring prices.
Industries ranging from aviation to retail are grappling with rising costs, weakening demand and disrupted supply chains, while some governments are considering support measures similar to those implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Humanitarian concerns are also mounting. The World Food Programme has warned that tens of millions of people could face acute hunger if the conflict continues into June, with farmers in affected regions already struggling to access diesel supplies.
On the military front, hostilities show no signs of easing. The Israeli military said it had carried out a new wave of strikes targeting infrastructure across Iran, while US Central Command chief Brad Cooper reported that more than 10,000 targets had been hit.
According to Cooper, 92% of Iran’s largest naval vessels have been destroyed, while missile and drone launch rates have dropped by more than 90%. He added that two-thirds of Iran’s missile, drone and naval production facilities have been severely damaged or destroyed.
The Pentagon is reportedly preparing to deploy thousands of additional airborne troops to the Gulf region, potentially expanding US military options, including a ground offensive.
Amid growing fears of a wider regional war, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a stark warning.
“The world is staring down the barrel of a wider war,” Guterres said, urging all parties to de-escalate and pursue diplomatic solutions.