Washington: US President Donald Trump announced his willingness to embrace a period of silence following reports that Iran has suspended indirect peace talks with Washington. “I think we’ve been talking too much, if you want to know the truth. I think going silent would be very good,” Trump stated during an interview with NBC News. He emphasized that this pause in dialogue does not signify an immediate resumption of strikes but assured that the blockade would remain, describing it as a “piece of steel.”
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump expressed that he is in no rush to restart communications, highlighting that Tehran is facing significant financial losses under the current restrictions. The statement comes in response to reports from the semi-official Tasnim news agency, which revealed Iran’s decision to halt exchanges through mediators as a protest against Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Tasnim reported that Iran’s negotiating team would cease “talks and exchanges of texts through mediators” until their demands concerning Gaza and Lebanon are addressed.
Tensions in the Middle East have been rising since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February, leading to Tehran’s retaliatory attacks targeting Israel and US allies in the Gulf, as well as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Although a ceasefire was implemented on April 8 with Pakistani mediation, subsequent discussions in Islamabad failed to yield a sustainable agreement. Nonetheless, efforts for a resolution have persisted.
The US has also enforced a blockade of Iranian ports, claiming that its forces have redirected 121 commercial vessels and disabled five to date. Iran has stipulated that one of its conditions for a permanent cessation of conflict with the US is the cessation of fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon.
In a separate conversation with CNBC, Trump dismissed concerns over the potential end of peace negotiations with Iran, stating, “I don’t care” if talks are over. He further explained, “I really don’t care. I couldn’t care less,” when questioned about Iranian negotiators ceasing communications with the US due to Israel’s military operations in Lebanon. Trump mentioned his intention to inquire with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the situation in Lebanon. According to Israeli media, Trump and Netanyahu conducted a phone call on Monday, though no additional details were disclosed.
According to CNBC, Trump also expressed indifference towards the spike in oil prices following Iranian state media reports that Tehran intends to “completely block” the Strait of Hormuz, in addition to halting negotiations. “I think the oil will be dropping like a rock in the very near, you know, the very near distance,” Trump added.