U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Monday that he had not received any information from Iranian officials regarding a suspension of negotiations with Washington, but added that the silence was acceptable and that he was willing to wait, Reuters reports. “I think we’ve talked too much, if you want to know the truth.
I think silence is very good, and this could last for a long time,” Trump said in an interview with NBC News. “That doesn’t mean we’re going to go out and start dropping bombs all over the place. We’re simply going to be quiet. We will maintain the blockade,” Trump added. “I think I can wait as long as they want. They’re losing a fortune,” he also said.
Earlier, Iran’s official news agency Tasnim had reported that Tehran was suspending indirect negotiations with the United States, following Israel’s decision to order its forces to advance deeper into Lebanon, a move that has further complicated diplomatic efforts to end the three-month-long conflict in the region. Trump commented that Iranians are better negotiators than fighters, but reiterated that he had not been informed of any official decision to suspend talks.
His reaction comes after Iran announced that no peace negotiations with the United States would take place until its conditions are met, particularly those related to halting Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza. Tehran has also reaffirmed that any agreement with Washington aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East is contingent upon a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have been targeting positions held by Hezbollah, a key ally of Iran.
“We insist that a ceasefire in Lebanon is an essential condition for any agreement aimed at ending the war” with the United States, said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghai during a press conference in Tehran. His remarks underline Iran’s position that diplomatic progress cannot be separated from developments on the ground, especially in areas where its regional allies are directly involved.
In recent days, Israeli forces have pushed further into southern Lebanon, expanding their ground operations while continuing sustained aerial strikes. These actions are part of a broader military campaign targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, command centers, and supply routes. The escalation has raised concerns among international observers that the conflict could widen further, drawing in additional regional actors.
At the same time, Hezbollah has continued launching drone attacks against Israeli positions, both in southern Lebanon and northern Israel. These strikes, while often limited in scale, signal the group’s ongoing capacity to respond and maintain pressure along the border. The exchange of attacks has kept tensions high and has made diplomatic de-escalation increasingly difficult.
Analysts note that the current situation reflects a complex interplay between military developments and diplomatic maneuvering. While the United States has sought to keep communication channels open with Iran, even indirectly, the lack of formal progress highlights the deep divisions that remain. Iran’s insistence on linking negotiations to a ceasefire in Lebanon introduces an additional layer of conditions that Washington may find difficult to accept, especially given its strategic partnership with Israel.
Trump’s comments suggest a strategy of patience rather than immediate escalation, emphasizing restraint while maintaining economic and political pressure. His assertion that Iran is “losing a fortune” likely refers to the impact of ongoing sanctions and regional instability on the country’s economy. However, the absence of active dialogue, combined with continued military activity in the region, leaves the situation uncertain and volatile.
As the conflict enters its fourth month, the prospects for a negotiated settlement remain unclear. The combination of battlefield developments, shifting political calculations, and entrenched positions on both sides continues to hinder meaningful progress. For now, both silence and sporadic statements appear to define the diplomatic landscape, while events on the ground continue to shape the trajectory of the crisis.
