Are the US and Iran negotiating or not? The messaging on the rapidly changing Iran war has devolved into a classic game of he said, she said. President Donald Trump and his administration have released multiple statements highlighting ongoing negotiations, only for Tehran to insist no such talks are taking place. So, what’s really going on?
Trump’s Iran Talks
President Trump undoubtedly knows the clock is ticking for the Iran war. With nearly 300 US troops wounded in the conflict so far, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM), and gas prices soaring, the American people are quickly souring on the Middle Eastern operation. A Pew Research Center survey published on Wednesday shows roughly “six-in-ten Americans (61%) disapprove of Trump’s handling of the conflict, while 37% approve.”
The midterms are approaching, and the likelihood of political backlash hitting the GOP is increasing by the day. It’s in the president’s best interest politically to indicate that the war is coming to an end – or at least that the United States is making a valiant effort to reach “Mission Accomplished” as quickly as possible.
But then there’s the matter of world leaders acknowledging the talks. Pakistan has reportedly delivered a 15-point US ceasefire plan to Iran – and the plan has been rejected, according to multiple media reports. Would Pakistan fabricate negotiations to help Trump in the polls and the GOP in November? Unlikely. Turkish officials have also acknowledged the US plan. Their involvement suggests discussions really are occurring, whether Iran wants to admit it or not.
Iran’s Strategy
Iran continued publicly denying negotiations on Wednesday, even after it issued a counterproposal to Trump’s ceasefire plan. Iran’s suggestion included an end to hostilities, protection for Iranian officials, reparations for the conflict, and acknowledgment of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz, PBS reported.
So, to recap: Iran claims it’s not negotiating with the US, but provided a counteroffer to Trump’s latest proposal, which was aired on Iranian state television. Meanwhile, Iranian armed forces spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaqari mocked President Trump, saying, “Has the level of your inner struggle reached the stage of you negotiating with yourself?” Talk about whiplash. After weeks of being pummeled by the US and Israel, Iran’s bravado fails to convey genuine confidence. The flailing regime appears desperate to save face publicly while leaving the door open to negotiations behind the scenes.
“They are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they’re afraid to say it because they figure they’ll be killed by their own people,” Trump said during a fundraiser Wednesday evening. “They’re also afraid they’ll be killed by us.”
‘Unleash Hell’
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday during the White House press briefing that if Iran continues threatening the United States and its allies, "President Trump does not bluff, and he is prepared to unleash hell." Leavitt continued, "Iran should not miscalculate again. Their last miscalculation cost them their senior leadership, their navy, their air force and their air defense system.”
Over 9,000 targets have been hit since Operation Epic Fury began nearly one month ago, Leavitt said, devastating the Middle Eastern nation’s navy and air defense network, and causing Iranian drone and missile strikes to plummet by roughly 90%. The press secretary noted that President Trump has stalled scheduled strikes as negotiations unfold.
Leavitt added, “Any violence beyond this point will be because the Iranian regime refused to understand they have already been defeated and refused to come to a deal.”
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