President Donald Trump remarked on Monday that there is a genuine chance to reach an agreement with Iran to end the ongoing military conflict, yet he cautioned that "nothing is guaranteed."
The statements, shared via the White House's X account, came on the same day he announced a five-day halt to planned attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure.
Trump explained the pause by citing "very positive and productive conversations" held over the past 48 hours, involving his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. "We had very, very solid talks. We have points, important points of agreement. I would say almost all points of agreement," the President stated.
Optimism and Skepticism in Negotiations
Regarding the negotiations, Trump expressed optimism tempered with caution: "We are likely to meet today, probably by phone... We're in a five-day period. We'll see how it goes. And if it goes well, we'll end up resolving this. If not, we will continue bombing with all our might."
However, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically rejected Trump's statements. Iran denies any dialogue with Washington, asserting that "there are no talks between Tehran and Washington" and accusing the U.S. President of "not telling the truth." Tehran attributed the de-escalation to intermediary countries — Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan — and accused Trump of backing down to avoid a spike in energy prices.
Market Reactions and Military Context
Despite the conflicting accounts, markets responded positively: stock futures rose, and oil prices fell following the announcement of the pause.
Trump also spoke about the current state of Iranian leadership after weeks of military offensive. The conflict, named Operation Epic Fury and launched on February 28 alongside Israel, resulted in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and at least 49 regime leaders, including the Defense Minister, the commander of the Revolutionary Guard, and the Iranian Intelligence Minister.
Comparisons and Demands
The President compared the situation to Venezuela, where the capture of Nicolás Maduro in January 2026 and the subsequent oil agreement with the United States served as a transition model. "Look at Venezuela, how well it's working. And perhaps we will find someone like that in Iran," Trump said.
Washington's demands include a five-year halt on missile development, complete cessation of uranium enrichment, and dismantling of nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow, with strict external monitoring. Iran, on the other hand, demands an immediate ceasefire, guarantees against future escalations, and compensations. The five-day period announced by Trump will be crucial to determine whether the conflict moves toward a diplomatic resolution or intensifies.
Key Questions About the Potential Iran Deal
What are the main points of agreement in the Iran negotiations?
The main points include a possible agreement to halt missile development and uranium enrichment, coupled with dismantling nuclear facilities under stringent international monitoring.
How has Iran responded to Trump's statements?
Iran has rejected Trump's claims, denying any dialogue with the U.S. and attributing the de-escalation to intermediary countries instead.
How have the markets reacted to the announcement of a pause in attacks?
Following the announcement, stock futures rose and oil prices fell, signaling a positive market reaction.