President Donald Trump said Tehran is engaging more seriously in talks with Washington, though he cautioned that progress does not guarantee an agreement and said he will not rush a peace deal before the November midterms.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump said Friday that negotiations with Iran have become more substantive as the war continues, but he made clear that the administration will not accept an agreement simply to produce a political breakthrough before the midterm elections.
Speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump confirmed that communications with Tehran are ongoing.
“We are talking to them,” Trump said.
“I think they’re getting more and more serious as the days go by, for maybe the obvious reason, but we are talking to them right now,” he continued.
The president said Iran’s current posture appeared more earnest than at any earlier point in the conflict, while warning that improved discussions may still fail to produce a final settlement.
“I think they are being by far the most serious that we’ve seen. But that doesn’t mean we get there,” Trump said.
His comments came hours after the United States completed a 13th consecutive night of strikes against Iranian targets. U.S. Central Command said the latest operation hit “military command centers, drone facilities, communications networks, and maritime capabilities.”
The sustained campaign has continued as Trump considers whether to authorize a broader offensive. He recently said he was weighing a “massive attack bigger than anything before,” while Iran rejected another ceasefire proposal.
When asked who was representing Washington in the negotiations, Trump said “sorta everybody” was involved. He specifically identified Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as participants in the diplomatic effort.
The president also rejected the idea that the administration should accelerate negotiations to secure an agreement before voters head to the polls in November.
Trump “said that he’s not in a hurry to reach a deal before the November midterms,” according to a second CNN report.
“We have to do it right,” Trump said.
The remarks suggest the administration intends to maintain military pressure while continuing diplomatic contacts, rather than pausing strikes or accepting temporary terms for the sake of a quick announcement.
Although Trump described Iran’s participation as more serious, he stopped short of predicting a breakthrough or identifying specific areas of agreement. No timetable for additional talks or a potential ceasefire was announced.
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