U.S. President Donald Trump says there is a “good chance” of progress toward a negotiated outcome with Iran, as hostilities remain paused for a third consecutive day. According to the reports, fighting resumes late February after a breakdown in diplomacy and following renewed U.S. strikes on Iran that were sparked by disputes involving Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. After 13 nights of strikes, the sides have been holding fire since Friday.
Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, expresses optimism about renewed diplomacy, saying he has “a lot of patience” and that “something could happen.” Separate reporting notes that Trump frames the potential diplomatic shift as a way to end the conflict that has raised regional and global economic concerns.
Iranian officials dispute the idea that direct talks are underway. Tehran denies it is negotiating with the United States, with a foreign ministry spokesman saying mediators may pass messages from the American side but that Iran is not engaged in negotiations at present.
Overall, the accounts describe a continued pause in fighting alongside competing claims about whether diplomatic engagement is active.
