Trump Says US and Iran Are in Talks, but No Deal Has Been Reached

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States and Iran are engaged in talks aimed at ending their conflict, while insisting that Tehran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. Speaking at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington on Saturday, July 25, Trump said Iran wants an agreement but has not yet reached the point of being ready to sign one. “We are talking to them. I think they are serious … the most serious we have ever seen, but that does not mean we are going to have a deal,” Trump told reporters. Trump also claimed that recent US military strikes had significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities, including its naval and air forces. The claims could not be independently verified. Preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon has remained a central US objective in its policy toward Tehran. Iran has repeatedly rejected allegations that it is seeking nuclear weapons and has defended its nuclear programme as peaceful. Meanwhile, Pakistan is exploring ways to revive stalled indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran, Reuters reported, citing Pakistani sources. The effort comes alongside a separate Chinese initiative aimed at helping restore dialogue and reduce tensions in the Gulf. According to the Pakistani sources, Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni travelled to Islamabad last week for the second time in 10 days, where he met senior Pakistani government and military officials, including Army Chief General Asim Munir. The diplomatic efforts come as Pakistan attempts to navigate complex regional relationships. Islamabad maintains close ties with Saudi Arabia, including through a defence agreement, while China remains a major economic partner and an important buyer of Iranian oil. Beijing has expressed concern over disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement on Saudi-linked vessels, saying such developments threaten its commercial interests. China’s Foreign Ministry has also backed Pakistan’s mediation efforts and said Beijing is prepared to contribute to efforts to restore peace in the Gulf. The United States and Iran previously reached an understanding in June with mediation from Pakistan and Qatar, but indirect negotiations failed to make significant progress before military hostilities resumed. Pakistani officials have reportedly indicated that an end to attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states could be a condition for renewed negotiations. The latest diplomatic push comes amid continuing tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies and international shipping. Any prolonged disruption to traffic through the waterway could have significant consequences for regional stability, global energy markets and international trade. The developments highlight increasingly complex diplomatic efforts involving Washington, Tehran, Islamabad, Beijing and Gulf states as governments seek to contain the conflict and find a path back to negotiations. The post Trump Says US and Iran Are in Talks, but No Deal Has Been Reached appeared first on Khaama Press.