WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that diplomatic efforts with Iran were making progress, expressing optimism about ongoing contacts even as renewed military tensions and competing statements from Tehran underscored the fragility of the process.
Speaking at a defense technology gathering in Pennsylvania, Trump said his administration continued to pursue a diplomatic resolution with Iran while maintaining pressure on Tehran. He said discussions with Iranian representatives had shown signs of progress but did not disclose details of the talks or identify participants.
Trump's remarks came after a series of public statements over recent weeks in which he said Washington and Tehran had continued indirect discussions despite repeated military exchanges and disputes over the status of a previously announced ceasefire. Earlier this month, Trump said the United States had agreed to continue talks with Iran while warning that Washington expected Tehran to comply with commitments made during earlier negotiations.
Iranian officials have publicly presented a more cautious account. While acknowledging diplomatic contacts through intermediaries and participation in negotiations hosted by regional partners, Tehran has at times rejected Trump's characterization of direct negotiations or disputed elements of his public statements.
The diplomatic effort has unfolded against a backdrop of renewed confrontation in the Gulf. Fighting between U.S. and Iranian forces has intensified in recent days, with both sides accusing the other of violating earlier understandings. Oil prices rose on Wednesday as markets reacted to concerns that the latest hostilities could further disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and other regional energy routes.
U.S. officials have continued to describe diplomacy as their preferred means of addressing concerns over Iran's nuclear program while warning that further progress depends on Tehran fulfilling its obligations under previous understandings. Washington has also maintained economic and military pressure, including sanctions and regional deployments, as negotiations continue.
No new agreement was announced on Wednesday, and neither the White House nor Iranian authorities disclosed plans for another formal negotiating session. The latest publicly confirmed position from both sides indicates that diplomatic channels remain open, although substantial differences persist over the terms of any broader settlement.
