US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the United States is โgetting along very well with Iranโ and that recent diplomatic meetings held in Qatar have shown encouraging progress. Speaking to reporters before boarding a Qatar-provided Air Force One aircraft for a trip to North Dakota, Trump said the talks with Iran were heading in a constructive direction, especially on the issue of nuclear development.
โThe denuclearisation of Iran is moving along well. Theyโve had very good meetings, and weโll see,โ Trump said while addressing the media. He added that while tensions between the two countries have existed in the past, current efforts are focused on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
โWe hit them very hardโฆ but weโre getting along very well,โ Trump said.
Qatar meetingsย
According to Trump, recent discussions held in Qatar have gone well, with both sides engaging in dialogue aimed at reducing tensions and improving understanding.
The US administration has been using indirect and technical-level talks as part of broader efforts to manage relations with Tehran, particularly after previous exchanges of fire between the two sides.
Vance says talks continue despite Iranโs denialย
US Vice President JD Vance also commented on the ongoing situation, dismissing Iranโs public denial of peace talks with Washington. He described Tehranโs stance as a โPersian negotiating tactic,โ while insisting that technical-level discussions between the two countries are continuing.
โThere were scheduled talks, really technical talks, building on the negotiation that weโve already had. Those are definitely happening,โ Vance said in a podcast interview.
In another interview, Vance said the United States is paying more attention to Iranโs actions than its public statements.
โWe care a lot less about what the Iranians say. We care a lot more about what they do,โ he said.
He also added that President Trump has directed officials to continue diplomatic efforts while keeping all options open if negotiations fail to produce results.
Middle East tansions on the rise
Last week, tensions escalated in the Middle East again after a container vessel was targeted by Iran in the Hormuz, while it was existing. In response, the US targeted Iranian missile, drone and radar sites, forcing Tehran to retaliate. But “for now”, the two sides have agreed to stand down and ships can sail “freely”, an American official told Axios.ย ย
It is not clear on who will lead the two sides, though.
The Hormuz remains crucial for maintaining the global supply chains, as nearly a fifth of the world’s crude passes through it. Under the peace deal signed, the two sides have agreed to establish a “hotline” to coordinate the traffic in the Strait, but it was not operative till Saturday, even though Tehran claimed that vessels are transiting through the Hormuz.
Also Read:ย JD Vance dismisses Iran’s peace talks denial, says ‘other options’ open if diplomacy fails