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Donald Trump insisted on Monday that Washington and Tehran are still in regular contact and are both interested in agreeing terms to end the war, after Iran’s foreign ministry denied talks and said the president was only trying to soothe energy markets.
After threatening to “obliterate” Iran only on Saturday, Trump told reporters today that direct talks with Iran are progressing well towards making a deal on Iran’s nuclear programme.
The president also warned that the US “will just keep bombing our little hearts out” if an agreement cannot be reached. He added that he did not recognise the leadership of Mojtaba Khamenei and said his envoy has been communicating with ”a top person” instead.
On Monday, he announced a five-day pause of US military strikes on Iranian energy sites, just hours before a 48-hour ultimatum issued by Trump to Tehran was due to expire.
Trump refused to be dragged into commenting on the possibility of putting US boots on the ground, saying he would not divulge information on “strategy”.
He suggested that without a deal the US could instead pursue regime change and joint leadership, or find a leader “like we did in Venezuela” following the ousting of longtime leader Nicolas Maduro.
Earlier today, Trump said that both sides had held “VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE” conversations about a “COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST” – something Iran promptly denied.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bager Galibaf denied claims there had been negotiations with the US, saying “fakenews” was being used to “manipulate” oil markets.
UK summons Iranian ambassador over charges against Iranian national, UK-Iranian dual citizen
The Iranian ambassador has been summoned to the FCDO OVER after an Iranian national and one British-Iranian dual national were charged last week on suspicion of providing assistance to Iran’s intelligence service.
Harriette Boucher23 March 2026 16:44
Iran’s foreign ministry denies talking to the US about a peace deal
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson denied on Monday holding any talks with the US over the past 24 days, shortly after President Donald Trump said the two sides had found “major points of agreement” in the past few days.
In recent days, friendly countries sent messages indicating that the US had requested talks to end the war, but Iran had not responded, state news agency IRNA quoted the ministry spokesperson as saying.
Trump says US will ‘keep bombing our little hearts out’ if they can’t make a deal with Iran
James Reynolds23 March 2026 16:30
Iranian parliament speaker denies negotiations with US
Iran’s parliament speaker has denied claims there have been negotiations with the US, saying “fakenews” is being used to “manipulate” oil markets.
A social media account attributed to Mohammad Bager Galibaf posted: “Iranian people demand complete and remorseful punishment of the aggressors. All Iranian officials stand firmly behind their supreme leader and people until this goal is achieved.
“No negotiations have been held with the US, and fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.”
Earlier, Axios reporter Barak Ravid said an Israeli official told him US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were negotiating with Ghalibaf.
Harriette Boucher23 March 2026 16:24
US asked for meeting with Iranian parliament speaker
The US has requested a meeting with Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bager Galibaf on Saturday, senior Iranian official told Reuters, without mentioning any proposed venue.
The official, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the Supreme National Security Council had yet to decide on any proposed talks and Iran had yet to respond.
Earlier, Axios reporter Barak Ravid said an Israeli official told him US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were negotiating with Ghalibaf.
Harriette Boucher23 March 2026 16:12
Pakistan eyes role as lead mediator in Iran war: report
Pakistan is positioning itself as the lead mediator trying to broker an end to the US and Israel’s war against Iran, the Financial Times is reporting.
Pakistani army chief Asim Munir spoke with US President Donald Trump on Sunday, the newspaper reported, citing two people briefed on the call.
James Reynolds23 March 2026 15:59
Trump suggests US could control Strait of Hormuz with Iran in future
Donald Trump said on Monday that he could ‘run’ the Strait of Hormuz with the leader of Iran when it fully reopens.
The US president told reporters that Washington and Tehran were aligned on many points and working towards a deal – something Iranian authorities denied.
Trump said he did not recognise the new supreme leader of Iran and was instead working with an unnamed official.
Asked by reporters who would be in charge of the Strait of Hormuz if the US and Iran can come to terms, the president said: “Maybe me, me and… whoever the next ayatollah (is).”
Trump said the waterway would be “jointly controlled” in the event of an agreement to end the war.
Trump suggested the US and Iran could control the Strait of Hormuz (AFP/Getty)
James Reynolds23 March 2026 15:49
Recap: Trump says US and Iran in direct talks to end war
Donald Trump insisted on Monday that Washington and Tehran are still in contact and are both interested in agreeing on terms to end the war.
Trump told reporters today that direct talks with Iran are progressing well towards making a deal on Iran’s nuclear programme.
The president also warned that the US “will just keep bombing our little hearts out” if an agreement cannot be reached.
He added that he did not recognise the leadership of Mojtaba Khamenei and said his envoy has been communicating with ”a top person” instead.
Axios reporter Barak Ravid wrote on X that an Israeli official told him US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are negotiating with Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
James Reynolds23 March 2026 15:30
Watch: Trump says US will ‘keep bombing our little hearts out’ if they can’t make a deal with IranTrump says US will ‘keep bombing our little hearts out’ if they can’t make a deal with Iran
James Reynolds23 March 2026 15:15
EU’s Kallas welcomes Trump postponing strikes on Iranian power plants
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Monday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s announcement that there will be no attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure.
Kallas, who was meeting with Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar in Abuja, said that attacks on infrastructure were causing chaos in the region and escalating the war even further.
Trump said on Monday he had given orders to postpone any military strikes against Iranian power plants for five days.
James Reynolds23 March 2026 15:00
US envoys speaking with Iranian parliament speaker: Axios
Axios reporter Barak Ravid says an Israeli official told him US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are negotiating with Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Trump earlier said the US was negotiating with a “top person” in Iran. He said he did not recognise the new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, and did not know whether or not he was still alive.
Iran’s foreign ministry said the US was not engaged in direct talks with the Iran, according to Iranian media.
James Reynolds23 March 2026 14:56