President Donald Trump has said the United States (US) and Iran have held intensive talks over the past 24 hours, claiming there are “major points of agreement” and suggesting a deal to defuse the conflict could be reached within days.
Speaking to reporters in Florida on Monday, Trump said discussions with Iranian counterparts were led by his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and his close aide and son-in-law Jared Kushner, adding that negotiations were continuing.
“We have had very, very strong talks. We have points, major points of agreement, I would say almost all points of agreement,” Trump said.
Later, during remarks in Memphis, Tennessee, the president struck a more optimistic tone, saying Iran was negotiating seriously this time.
“We’re giving it five days, and then we’re going to see where that takes us,” he said, adding that the process could “end up being a very good deal for everybody.”
Trump declined to identify the Iranian officials involved, but said the talks did not include Iran’s Supreme Leader. He insisted Washington was dealing with a figure he described as “the most respected” leader remaining in the country.
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However, Iran’s Fars News Agency, citing a source, reported that there had been no direct or indirect communications with the United States, casting doubt on Trump’s account.
Earlier on Monday, the US president stepped back from a threat to strike Iran’s power network, saying any attacks on power plants and energy infrastructure would be postponed.
The announcement triggered an immediate reaction in global markets, with Brent crude oil falling sharply, the dollar weakening, equity markets rallying and government borrowing costs easing.
According to reports, the shift followed warnings from Tehran that it would retaliate by targeting power facilities in Israel and sites supplying US bases across the Gulf if Iran’s own energy network came under attack.
On Saturday, Trump had warned that Iranian power plants would be destroyed if Tehran failed to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping within 48 hours, setting a deadline late on Monday.