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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Monday that the United States and Iran have held “very good and productive” talks and are pursuing a deal to end the weeks-long conflict, giving diplomacy a five-day window before potential strikes on Iranian power plants .
“There’s a very good chance” of reaching an agreement, Trump told reporters, adding that both sides “want to make a deal” and have reached “major points of agreement” . He said special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner have been involved in the discussions with what he described as a “respected” Iranian leader, though he declined to identify the individual .
🕊️ Key Elements of a Potential Deal
Trump outlined a framework that would include:
- No nuclear weapons and a complete halt to uranium enrichment
- Reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with possible joint US-Iran control
- Handover of enriched uranium stockpiles to US control
- Regional stability benefiting Gulf allies including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain
Trump said the deal would also be “great for Israel” and that Israeli leaders “will be very happy” . Oil prices would “drop like a rock” if an agreement is reached, he added .
🇮🇷 Iran’s Firm Denial
Despite Trump’s optimistic tone, Iranian officials have categorically denied any negotiations are underway. A senior security official told Tasnim News Agency: “No negotiations are ongoing or have taken place” . Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson stated that neither direct nor indirect talks with the United States are occurring .
Iranian sources characterized Trump’s announcement as a “retreat” following credible military threats from Tehran, claiming the US president “backed down after being warned their targets would include power plants across West Asia” .
🛢️ The Five-Day Window
Trump ordered the Pentagon to postpone strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days—until roughly Saturday—pending progress in talks . The pause followed a 48-hour ultimatum he issued Saturday threatening to “obliterate” Iranian power plants unless Tehran fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz .
The strait, through which roughly 20% of global oil passes, has been effectively closed to US and allied shipping since the war began . Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has warned that if the US attacks energy infrastructure, Tehran would target power plants, communication networks, and desalination facilities linked to US allies across the region .
🌍 Regional Mediation Efforts
Multiple nations have been passing messages between Washington and Tehran, according to US officials. Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan have been mediating talks over recent days, while Oman has been “working intensively” on safe passage arrangements for the strait .
Qatar and the UK have also relayed messages, though Trump has dismissed Iran’s reported demand for war reparations as a “non-starter” .
🏛️ A Contradictory Picture
The conflicting narratives leave significant questions unanswered. Trump told reporters Iran “called” to initiate talks, but he also acknowledged “it’s hard to find leaders in Iran to talk to because they keep getting killed” . Hours before his announcement, the Israeli air force launched fresh strikes on Tehran, underscoring that military operations continue alongside diplomatic efforts .
Political analyst Trita Parsi suggested Trump may be “bluffing” to gain leverage. “Trump has no good escalatory options. Whatever he does will likely be more costly for him than for the Iranians,” Parsi told The National .
For now, the war—now in its 24th day—continues, with nearly 3,300 killed in Iran, more than 1,030 in Lebanon, and oil markets showing volatility . Whether Trump’s “very good chance” represents a genuine breakthrough or a tactical pause remains to be seen .
