Trump says there is a good chance of progress in Iran talks

A fragile pause in hostilities between the United States and Iran entered its third day on Monday, July 27, 2026, as U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism about diplomatic talks while warning that fighting could resume if negotiations fail. The lull follows 13 nights of renewed U.S. airstrikes against Iran, which began after a diplomatic framework for peace collapsed over control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the two sides were engaged in "very deep talks" and that there was a "good chance that something could happen." He attributed Iran's willingness to talk to sustained U.S. military pressure. "The only reason they want to meet is because we've been hitting them very hard," he said. However, he cautioned that if the diplomatic efforts fail, "we go back to doing what we were doing" before the pause.

Iranian officials offered a more cautious assessment, denying that any direct, formal negotiations with the United States are currently taking place. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stated that while mediators may convey messages from the American side, Tehran is not engaged in direct talks. He criticized...