US President Donald Trump has claimed that Washington has been in direct communication with Iranian officials, raising hopes that diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran could resume.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump said the United States was “hopefully toward the end” of the war and that Iran wanted to reach a deal.
However, Tehran has not confirmed that direct negotiations with Washington have restarted. Iranian officials have also maintained that any talks would depend on Iran’s conditions being met.
The development comes amid continued fighting and growing concerns over global energy supplies, particularly after Iran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for international oil and gas shipments.
Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei said there would be no talks until Tehran’s conditions were fulfilled, accusing Trump of sending mixed signals.
Diplomatic efforts between the two countries have previously relied on intermediaries including Pakistan, Oman and Qatar.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to discuss regional developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts.
China has also called on Washington and Tehran to exercise restraint and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Chinese officials have indicated that Beijing is willing to support efforts aimed at restoring peace in the Middle East.
The diplomatic push comes after a Pakistan-brokered memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran collapsed last month. The agreement had been intended to establish a 60-day period for peace talks and included provisions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
At the same time, US officials have reportedly held talks with representatives of Yemen’s Houthi movement in Oman. According to sources cited by Reuters, the Houthis told American officials that they did not intend to attack US vessels and remained committed to a previous ceasefire.
With fighting continuing in the region and energy markets under pressure, attention is now focused on whether renewed diplomatic contacts can produce a new agreement between Washington and Tehran.
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