Washington DC: As the Middle East conflict entered day 26, negotiations to end the Iran war had gained momentum. United States President Donald Trump said
that the negotiations are happening "now." While talking to reporters at the Oval Office, the US President confirmed that senior officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, were leading negotiations with Iran. "We're in negotiations right now. They're doing it, along with Marco, JD, with a number of people doing it," he stated. Trump also expressed optimism about the talks, suggesting Tehran was willing to reach an agreement. "The other side, I can tell you they'd like to make a deal, and who wouldn't?" he said. "If you were there, look, their navy's gone, their air force is gone, their communications are done — that's the biggest problem." Who All Are Involved In Negotiations With Iran:
- Donald Trump
- Vide-President JD Vance
- United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff
- Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner
Whom Does Iran Prefer To Negotiate With:
According to reports, through back channels, Iran had conveyed to the US that it would prefer Vance to lead the negotiation talks. The main reason for preferring Vance over Kushner and WItkoff is that the US Vice-President wanted to reach an agreement to end the ongoing war. According to reports, Iranian officials also showed reluctance for negotiating with Witkoff or Kushner because of the collapse of previous negotiations just before the start of the war.
However, the White House rejected these claims. Meanwhile, Trump had also claimed that negotiations with Iranian officials were productive and “very good."
Also Read: Pakistan To Mediate Iran‑US Talks? Trump Reposts PM Shehbaz Sharif's X Post
Earlier on Monday, the US President also postponed his plans to attack Iran’s power plants for five days. He also expressed optimism about striking a deal with Iran.
Iran Denies Having Talks With the US:
After Trump’s claim of “productive” talks, Iran denied having any negotiations with the US. In a social media post on Monday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that “no negotiations have been held with the US”.
“Fakenews [sic] is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped,” Ghalibaf had written on X.
US Sends 15-Point Peace Plan To Iran:
On Tuesday, Trump said that he sent a peace plan to Iran, hinting at ending a month-long war after Tehran again vowed not to allow any enemy ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States had sent the 15-point plan to Iran through Pakistan, reported The New York Times, quoting unnamed officials. Israel’s Channel 12 claimed that Trump proposed a month-long ceasefire, and during this period, both nations would discuss a proposal, including banning Iran from further uranium enrichment and also handing over its enriched matter.
Iran would also allow safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. In turn, all sanctions against Tehran would be lifted, and also it would receive assistance in developing civil nuclear energy at Bushehr.
Iran would also decommission nuclear facilities at Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow, apart from ending its proxy strategy in the region and funding and arming of these groups. The discussion will also reportedly took place on limiting Iran's missile numbers and range and their use.
