New Delhi: US President Donald Trump launched a fresh attack on American media coverage of Iran on Tuesday, claiming that even a complete Iranian surrender
would be portrayed as a victory for Tehran. In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: "If Iran surrenders, admits their Navy is gone and resting at the bottom of the sea, and their Air Force is no longer with us, and if their entire Military walks out of Tehran, weapons dropped and hands held high, each shouting “I surrender, I surrender” while wildly waving the representative White Flag, and if their entire remaining Leadership signs all necessary “Documents of Surrender,” and admit their defeat to the great power and force of the magnificent U.S.A., The Failing New York Times, The China Street Journal (WSJ!), Corrupt and now Irrelevant CNN, and all other members of the Fake News Media, will headline that Iran had a Masterful and Brilliant Victory over The United States of America, it wasn’t even close. The Dumacrats and Media have totally lost their way. They have gone absolutely CRAZY!!! President DJT." The post came at a time of growing confusion over the future of negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with both sides offering sharply different accounts of whether talks remain on track. Also Read: Trump Blasts Netanyahu During Tense Call Over Lebanon: 'Are You F***ing Crazy?' Earlier in the day, Trump appeared to dismiss the importance of the negotiations altogether. Speaking to CNBC, he said: "I really don't care. I couldn't care less" when asked about reports that Iran had suspended talks. He also described the negotiations as "very boring". However, shortly afterward, Trump signalled that diplomatic engagement was continuing. In another social media post, he wrote: "Talks are continuing, at a rapid pace, with the Islamic Republic of Iran." Trump has also told multiple media outlets that Iran has not informed the United States of any decision to halt negotiations. Iran, however, has maintained that talks have been suspended. According to Iranian media reports, Tehran paused diplomatic engagement with Washington in protest against Israel's military operations in Lebanon. "The Iranian negotiating team will suspend talks and the exchange of texts through mediators," the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. Iran's foreign ministry later accused Washington of complicity in regional tensions, saying the United States "bears direct responsibility both for the violations of the ceasefire against Iran and for the violations committed by the Zionist regime against Lebanon". Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also warned of possible escalation if Israeli military operations continue. "Over the past two days, we have seriously pursued efforts to stop Israel’s attacks. If these crimes continue, we will not only suspend the negotiation process, but we will also stand against the Zionist regime," Ghalibaf said, according to the state-owned Islamic Republic News Agency. He further stated: "If an agreement is reached to end the war between Iran and the United States, it will include a halt to attacks on all fronts, especially in Lebanon." The uncertainty over negotiations comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut's southern suburbs after accusing the group of violating ceasefire arrangements. "There will not be a situation in which Hezbollah attacks our cities and our citizens," Netanyahu said. The Israeli military subsequently issued evacuation warnings in Beirut's Dahiya district, prompting residents to flee the area. Trump later claimed he had spoken with Netanyahu and representatives linked to Hezbollah and suggested efforts were underway to halt the hostilities. With Tehran insisting that talks are suspended and Trump alternately dismissing and defending the negotiations, the status of any potential Iran-US agreement remains unclear.
