Overview
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had not received any notification from Iranian officials indicating they were ending negotiations with Washington, even as reports emerged from Tehran suggesting otherwise. In an interview with NBC News, Trump described a preference for silence over continued talk and said he was prepared to wait out any pause.
President's comments
Speaking to NBC News, Trump said: "I think wee been talking too much if you want to know the truth. I think going silent would be very good, and that could be for a long time." He added: "It doesnt mean were going to go and start dropping bombs all over there." He again emphasized the decision to maintain pressure, saying: "Well just go silent. Well keep the blockade." He also said: "I think I can wait as long as they want. Theyre losing a fortune."
Conflicting reports
The Iranian state news agency Tasnim reported earlier that Iran was halting indirect negotiations with the U.S. Minsk - Tasnims report said Tehran took that step after Israel ordered its troops to push deeper into Lebanon. Tasnims account noted the development was complicating diplomatic efforts aimed at ending three months of war. Trump, for his part, said he had not been informed that Iran was suspending talks and characterized Iranians as "better negotiators than fighters."
Contextual note
The statements highlight a discrepancy between U.S. presidential remarks and reports from Iranian state media regarding the status of indirect negotiations. The president emphasized a strategy of withholding further engagement while maintaining a blockade, and signaled willingness to let any pause continue for an extended period.
Summary
President Trump told NBC News he had not heard from Iran that it was suspending talks, said he would accept silence and could wait, and reiterated that the U.S. would keep the blockade. Iranian state media reported earlier that Tehran was halting indirect negotiations after Israel ordered deeper military moves into Lebanon, complicating diplomatic efforts to end three months of war.