Trump says—friendly negotiations underway with Iran
President Donald Trump announced that talks about the conflict with Iran were progressing well while the air strikes and retaliatory attacks paused for a third straight day.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said the United States had “good talks” and expressed optimism that an end to the war could be reached. He warned that Washington would return to previous operations if the latest negotiations fell through.
Tehran has denied that any direct negotiations are taking place, adding a layer of uncertainty to the diplomatic room. Trump said he had decided to pause U.S. strikes on Friday because the countries mediating between the sides had urged him to give talks another chance.
The pause follows nearly two weeks of daily U.S. airstrikes and retaliatory missile and drone attacks, breaking a cease‑fire agreement reached in June. U.S. forces have aimed to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a globally significant oil route.
Oil prices slid more than 9% to $87.59 a barrel on Monday overnight, as traders hoped the conflict could de‑escalate. Trump downplayed media reports of low U.S. ammunition stockpiles, noting the nation still holds far more than needed for its strategic objectives. He highlighted the buildup of Patriot anti‑ballistic missiles on the roster of U.S. defense contractors.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly reinforced the message that U.S. munitions and stockpiles are ample, pointing to Operation Epic Fury as a testament to the power of the United States. She urged defense contractors to keep producing made‑in‑America weapons seen as the best worldwide.
The current cease‑fire comes after a series of incidents: the U.S. and Israel launched strikes versus Iran in late February; Tehran responded by firing missiles and drones at U.S. military assets; Iranian forces targeted tankers in July, prompting a U.S. counter‑strike and renewed naval blockade of Iranian ports. The latest pause allows all parties a brief respite to evaluate diplomatic options before hostilities resume. 
