Trump: We’re currently negotiating with Iran for a ceasefire

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States is currently negotiating with Iran for a ceasefire, as US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic and Iranian missile attacks on Israel and Gulf states continued.

Trump said, “What I said yesterday is absolutely true… We’re currently in negotiations”.

Trump addedthat his envoy Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner, Vice President J. D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are participating in the negotiations.

Trump also said Iran had given the United States a very big gift in terms of oil and gas, without providing details.

Following Trump’s remarks, the Israeli military announced that it was continuing its operations in Iran and Lebanon according to a fixed plan regardless of any negotiations aimed at reaching an agreement to end hostilities.

The New York Times, citing unnamed officials, had earlier reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff had been in direct contact in recent days, although neither side confirmed the veracity.

The US president said on Monday that Washington was in contact with an unnamed Iranian leader, saying he was the man I think is the most respected figure, and he is the leader, adding that he was very rational.

But he made it clear that he wasn’t the Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who was injured, according to official media.

Pakistan, a longtime ally of Iran, has said it is ready to host the talks.

“Subject to the approval of the United States and Iran, Pakistan is ready and honored to be the host country to facilitate meaningful talks and decisive outcomes for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict,” its Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a post on X.

Egypt has also shown a willingness to play a role in negotiations, as its foreign minister, Badr Abdel Aty, has held talks with representatives of Iran, the United States, Türkiye and Pakistan in recent days.