US President Donald Trump on Monday struck a cautiously optimistic tone over negotiations with Iran while simultaneously warning that Washington would resume military strikes if diplomacy fails, saying,
“You can’t bribe them. You’ve got to beat them.”
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said discussions with Tehran were progressing and suggested there was a possibility of a breakthrough.
“We’re having good talks,” Trump said.
“I think there’s a good chance that something could happen. And if it does, good. If it doesn’t, we go back to doing what we were doing two days ago.”
Later, addressing a campaign rally in Michigan, Trump sharpened his rhetoric, saying, “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.”
The remarks come after the United States paused nearly two weeks of air strikes against Iran, raising hopes that a broader conflict in the region could be contained.
Mediators Push To Revive Negotiations
Despite Trump’s optimism, Iran publicly maintained that there are no direct negotiations underway.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said mediators continued to relay messages between Washington and Tehran, but dismissed reports suggesting Iran had sought negotiations as “fabricated.”
He reiterated that diplomacy had not been abandoned, adding that indirect contacts through mediators were continuing.
According to AP, officials said efforts were focused on restoring dialogue while also working on a mechanism to manage shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the flashpoint of the recent conflict.
Regional Tensions Continue Despite Pause In US-Iran Attacks
Although neither the United States nor Iran has reported carrying out attacks for three consecutive days, violence involving Iran-backed groups continued elsewhere in the region.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted drones targeting petroleum facilities, while Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure.
Jordan also reported shooting down two drones, and separate drone strikes were reported against a Kurdish Iranian dissident group in Iraq.
Questions Remain Over Strait Of Hormuz And Military Campaign
Negotiators were also attempting to resolve disputes surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.
Iran has maintained that it retains authority to supervise shipping through the waterway and has discussed new mechanisms with Oman for ensuring navigation while protecting its national interests.
Meanwhile, the US military said its naval blockade continued, with commercial vessels being redirected in the area.
AP also reported that commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen to a three-week low, reflecting continued concerns over regional security despite the pause in direct US-Iran attacks.
Meanwhile, questions have also emerged over the sustainability of the US military campaign.
Analysts cited by AP said the conflict has strained American stockpiles of key weapons systems, although Trump insisted the country’s military inventories remain in “very good shape” while acknowledging he would like more advanced weaponry.
Senior military officials have reportedly warned that air power alone has limitations in achieving long-term military objectives.
