Washington

US President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric against Iran, claiming that Iranian negotiators are privately pushing for a diplomatic resolution even as they publicly deny engaging with Washington.

In a series of strong remarks, Trump asserted that Iran has been “militarily obliterated” and warned that it has “zero chance of a comeback” unless it agrees to a deal. Dismissing Tehran’s official stance, he urged its leadership to enter negotiations immediately, cautioning that failure to do so could lead to serious consequences. “There is no turning back, and it won’t be pretty,” he said.

Trump also claimed that back-channel talks are already underway, suggesting that Iranian officials are reluctant to acknowledge them publicly due to internal pressures. “They are negotiating… and they want to make a deal so badly,” he said during a dinner with Republican lawmakers, adding that Iranian leaders fear both domestic backlash and potential US retaliation.

However, Iran’s leadership has strongly denied these claims. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has no intention of entering negotiations under current conditions. Speaking on state television, he emphasized that Iran seeks to end the conflict “on its own terms” and in a way that prevents future escalation.

Diplomatic sources indicated that Pakistan has conveyed a 15-point American peace proposal to Tehran. However, Iranian state media reported that the proposal was rejected, suggesting a continued deadlock between the two sides.

Reinforcing the US administration’s hardline position, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump is prepared to take decisive action if diplomacy fails, stating that he “does not bluff” and is ready to respond forcefully if required.

Meanwhile, Wang Yi offered a more conciliatory perspective, noting that signs of openness to dialogue from both sides provide a “glimmer of hope” for a peaceful resolution.

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The sharp exchange of statements highlights the growing volatility in the ongoing conflict, with global powers closely monitoring developments. While the United States signals readiness for both negotiation and escalation, Iran’s firm public stance indicates that any breakthrough in diplomacy remains uncertain for now.