U.S. President Donald Trump has said that “good” talks are underway aimed at ending the conflict between the United States and Iran, but warned that if diplomacy fails, Washington is prepared to resume military action.
He expressed optimism that the ongoing negotiations could lead to a lasting resolution of the conflict.
“There are good and constructive talks taking place,” Trump said, adding that there is “a good chance that something could happen” through diplomacy.
However, he cautioned that if the negotiations fail, the United States would resume the military operations it had recently suspended.
“We’ll go back to doing what we were doing before,” Trump said, referring to the military campaign that was paused following the ceasefire.
According to Trump, he decided to halt U.S. strikes against Iran on Friday after countries acting as mediators urged him to give diplomacy another opportunity.
Iran, however, has denied that direct negotiations are taking place with the United States, maintaining that no face-to-face talks are underway between the two sides.
The current pause in fighting follows nearly two weeks of escalating military exchanges between the United States and Iran, during which both sides launched retaliatory attacks. The renewed violence had undermined a ceasefire agreement reached in June.
The U.S. military has said its operations were intended to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.
Trump also dismissed reports suggesting the United States was running low on weapons after months of conflict. He said the country still has sufficient stockpiles of ammunition and military equipment and continues to manufacture additional weapons, including Patriot missile systems.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly likewise said the U.S. military has adequate weapons and supplies to achieve its operational objectives.
Tensions between the United States and Iran intensified after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Iran responded by launching missile and drone attacks on U.S. military bases and other targets across the region, including in Israel.
In June, the two countries agreed to a ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a framework for negotiations aimed at ending the conflict within 60 days. However, after Iran allegedly attacked oil tankers in the Strait on July 13, the United States resumed airstrikes on Iran and reimposed restrictions on its ports. Iran subsequently retaliated with attacks on U.S. military bases in the Middle East, in which four American service members were reported killed.
