Mar 26, 2026 - President Donald Trump insisted Wednesday that Iran is seeking a deal to end the ongoing conflict despite Tehran's repeated denials of any negotiations with the United States.
Trump made the remarks at a Republican fundraising dinner, stating that Iranian leaders "want to make a deal so badly" but are afraid to admit it publicly because they fear retaliation from their own people or from the U.S. He added that the U.S. is communicating with "the right people" in Iran and that talks are underway.
Iranian officials rejected the claims. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has no intention of negotiating with the U.S. while under attack and that no conversations or negotiations have taken place. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf earlier described reports of talks as "fake news" aimed at manipulating markets and escaping a difficult position. Iran has maintained that any messages exchanged through intermediaries do not constitute negotiations.
The statements come days after the U.S. delivered a 15-point ceasefire proposal to Iran through Pakistani intermediaries. The plan reportedly included provisions for sanctions relief, limits on Iran's nuclear and missile activities, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping. Iran rejected the proposal and countered with its own five-point conditions, which included halting attacks on Iranian officials and territory, safeguards against future strikes, payment of war reparations, a broader regional ceasefire, and recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict escalated in late February with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israeli and Gulf sites, including a recent strike on a fuel tank at Kuwait International Airport. Iranian forces have restricted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, reducing oil shipments through the waterway that normally carries about one-fifth of global oil trade. This has contributed to higher energy prices, with benchmark crude rising significantly in recent weeks.
The U.S. has deployed additional forces to the region, including elements of the 82nd Airborne Division, to support operations. Earlier this week, Israeli forces reported killing Alireza Tangsiri, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, in a strike on Bandar Abbas. Tangsiri oversaw Iranian naval activities in the strait.
As of Thursday, the U.S. continued military operations in the Middle East while diplomatic efforts through third parties remained active. Iran maintained its restrictions on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, and no agreement to end the hostilities had been reached.
