President Donald Trump has responded to reports that U.S. talks with Iran had collapsed, insisting the conversations not only continue but have gone on daily.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday, June 2, Trump said the back-and-forth never stopped and called out the media for spreading ‘fake news’.
“The conversations between us have been going on continuously, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago, and today,” he wrote.
Trump Says ‘Where They Lead, One Never Knows’
However, the president went further, adding a note of uncertainty to the ongoing talks. He said: “Where they lead, one never knows.”
The statement marked the latest twist in months of on-again, off-again efforts to ease tensions between the two countries amid a fragile ceasefire.
Trump used the message to pressure Iran toward an agreement after telling Iranian leaders it was time to strike a deal after 47 years of hostility. “You have been on this path for 47 years, and it cannot continue,” he said in the post.
Just a day earlier, Trump told CNBC interviewers he did not care much if the talks ended. He described them as dragging on too long and even getting “a little boring.”
Iranian state media, meanwhile, had suggested the negotiations had been suspended following fresh violence involving Israel in Lebanon.
The two sides have traded both direct and indirect messages through mediators in Pakistan, Oman, and elsewhere.
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The discussions center on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, handling Iran’s nuclear program, and extending a fragile ceasefire that began earlier this year.
Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments, have sent energy prices soaring.
American drivers have felt it at the pump, adding pressure on the White House as political attention turns toward eagerly awaited midterm elections.
Trump wants the Strait of Hormuz to be fully open to the public, with no tolls for all ships, while Iran wants to control the strait and charge a fee before ships are given passage.
Iran has not yet issued an immediate public response to Trump’s post. Tehran has long demanded relief from economic sanctions and limits on how far the U.S. and Israel will go militarily.
Israeli actions against Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon have complicated the picture, with Iranian officials citing them as a reason to slow down direct engagement.
Trump has edited proposed language in potential agreements, sources familiar with the talks say, pushing for stronger language on destroying enriched uranium and on guaranteeing that shipping lanes remain open.
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The U.S.-Iran relationship has a long history, defined by the 1979 hostage crisis, sanctions, nuclear issues and occasional flare-ups in the Persian Gulf.
During Trump’s first term, the U.S. pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal, and killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike.
The ongoing talks seek to prevent a wider war and tackle fundamental security concerns.
The war started earlier this year when the U.S. and Israel struck Iran, destroying several military installations, including nuclear sites and missile factories.
Iran responded by targeting U.S. military assets in the Middle East and launching direct strikes on Israel.
Diplomacy Continues Despite Threats and Regional Tensions
People familiar with the process say Trump has repeatedly told aides not to rush into any deal. He prefers a big, comprehensive deal over a quick patch.
In his Truth Social message, Trump reminded Iran that the current situation cannot drag on forever and urged them to act.
Trump had earlier warned that he would be forced to switch to military action against Iran if Tehran fails to make a deal in the ongoing talks.
Iran responded to these threats with more threats, saying they are prepared to respond to any attack.
