WASHINGTON/DUBAI, — US President Donald Trump said Monday that negotiations between Washington and Tehran were progressing positively, expressing hope that diplomacy could resolve the conflict. However, he warned that US military strikes against Iran would resume if the talks failed to produce an agreement.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the United States was engaged in “good talks” with Iran and believed there was a realistic opportunity to reach a deal.
“We’re having good talks. I think there’s a good chance that something could happen. If it does, good. If it doesn’t, we go back to doing what we were doing two days ago,” Trump said.
Later, during a campaign rally in Michigan, Trump struck a tougher tone, saying Iran could not be persuaded through concessions.
“You can’t bribe them. You’ve got to beat them, and we’ll beat the hell out of them. But we’ll see how it turns out. Right now, there are very friendly negotiations going on.”
Drone attacks reported across the region
Despite Washington’s optimism, regional tensions remained high as Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq reported drone attacks on Monday.
Saudi authorities said air defense systems intercepted drones targeting petroleum facilities, including sites near Riyadh. Riyadh accused Iran-backed armed groups operating from Iraq of launching the attacks and said it reserved the right to respond.
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Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen claimed responsibility for targeting Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline leading to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, describing the strike as retaliation for alleged Saudi drone incursions.
Iran says diplomacy continues
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed that indirect communications between Tehran and Washington were continuing through international mediators.
However, he rejected reports suggesting Iran had requested negotiations with the United States.
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“This is not in our DNA,” Baghaei said, describing such claims as fabricated.
A senior Iranian official also told Reuters that Tehran would suspend its own military operations as long as President Trump’s self-declared ceasefire remained in effect.
Iran accuses US of escalation
Iran’s central military command accused the United States of threatening commercial shipping and oil tankers in Iranian territorial waters.
The military described the alleged US actions as an attempt to impose an “illegal maritime blockade,” warning that such measures represented a dangerous escalation of the regional conflict.
The United States unexpectedly suspended its two-week air campaign against Iran on Saturday, opening the door for renewed diplomatic efforts while leaving open the possibility of military action if negotiations collapse.
