United States President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that Iran is secretly interested in reaching a peace agreement, even though officials in Tehran continue to publicly deny any involvement in negotiations. According to Trump, Iranian representatives are hesitant to admit they want a deal because they fear retaliation from their own political system. Speaking during a dinner event attended by Republican lawmakers, Trump said Iran is actively participating in discussions behind the scenes and is eager to come to an agreement. However, he suggested that Iranian negotiators are unwilling to acknowledge this openly because they believe such an admission could put their lives at risk. “They are negotiating, and they want a deal very badly,” Trump told the audience. He added that Iranian officials are worried about consequences from their own government if they confirm the talks, and also fear strong military action from the United States. Trump’s remarks came shortly after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi publicly declared that the country had no intention of entering negotiations with Washington. Despite that statement, the US president insisted that discussions are ongoing and productive. The conflict between the United States and Iran has now entered its fourth week. Trump claimed that Iran is suffering significant losses and described the country as being heavily weakened by ongoing military pressure. Nevertheless, Iran still controls the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, giving Tehran strategic leverage in the region. During his speech, Trump also criticized political opponents in the United States, accusing Democrats of attempting to distract the public from what he described as major success in the current military campaign. He argued that critics prefer to avoid calling the situation a war because doing so would require formal approval from Congress. “They don’t like to use the word war,” Trump said, adding that he would instead refer to the situation as a military operation. Earlier, the White House warned that the United States is prepared to escalate its response if Iran refuses to acknowledge defeat. Officials said the administration is ready to take stronger action if negotiations fail, while maintaining that diplomatic contacts are still taking place. Iranian state media previously reported that Tehran rejected a proposed multi-point plan from Washington, citing an unnamed official who described the response as negative. Despite that report, US officials continue to say that discussions have not stopped. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the United States remains firm in its position. She said that if Iran does not recognize the current situation, the country could face even more severe consequences. According to Leavitt, President Trump is prepared to act decisively if necessary and will not hesitate to increase military pressure. She also stated that talks are still ongoing and described them as productive, though she did not provide details about the individuals representing Iran. Questions remain about leadership inside Iran following reports surrounding the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is widely believed to be his successor, has not appeared publicly, creating uncertainty about who is currently directing negotiations. Some reports suggest that Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, may be involved in discussions with US officials, although the White House has not confirmed this information. There have also been claims that senior American officials, including Vice President JD Vance, could participate in meetings with Iranian representatives in Pakistan, a country believed to be helping mediate between both sides. Officials declined to confirm those reports. Meanwhile, the United States has deployed additional airborne troops and Marines to the Gulf region. The military buildup has fueled speculation that Washington could consider a ground operation aimed at securing oil facilities or ensuring control of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important energy routes in the world. The White House has maintained its earlier estimate that the military campaign could last between four and six weeks. Trump also announced that his planned trip to China to meet President Xi Jinping was postponed due to the conflict and has now been rescheduled for mid-May. Officials say the administration continues to monitor the situation closely while keeping both military and diplomatic options open.
