Washington, United States. U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran to “get serious” about a deal to end nearly four weeks of fighting after Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran was reviewing a U.S. proposal but was not in talks to wind down the war.
Trump’s warning and claims
Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Thursday that Iran had been “militarily obliterated, with zero chance of a comeback,” and was “begging” for a deal. He described Iranian negotiators as “very different and ‘strange’,” and said they “better get serious soon, before it is too late,” adding that “once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK.”
Trump has not identified who the United States is negotiating with in Iran, with many high-ranking officials among the thousands of people killed across the Middle East since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.
Iran’s position on talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said messages relayed through friendly countries did not amount to negotiation. “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,” Araqchi said in comments broadcast late on Wednesday.
“At present, our policy is to continue resistance and defend the country, and we have no intention of negotiating,” he added.
Intermediaries and mediation efforts
Pakistan’s foreign minister said “indirect talks” between the United States and Iran were taking place through messages relayed by Pakistan, with other states including Turkey and Egypt also supporting mediation efforts.
Conflict impact and scope
The economic and humanitarian toll of the conflict has mounted, with fuel shortages spreading worldwide and sending companies and countries scrambling to contain the fallout.
Iran has launched strikes against Israel, U.S. bases and Gulf states since the February 28 attacks.
U.S. proposal details
Sources and reports said a 15-point U.S. proposal to end the conflict includes demands ranging from dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme and curbing its missiles to effectively handing over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Araqchi’s comments suggested some willingness by Tehran to negotiate an end to the war if Iranian demands were met, though the positions laid out by both sides indicate any such talks would likely be difficult.
What developments would you look for to assess whether indirect messages are turning into formal negotiations?