Trump Says 'Very Friendly' Iran Talks Ongoing as Strikes Halt

President Donald Trump said Monday that "very friendly negotiations" are taking place with Iran, as the warring sides observed a third consecutive day without exchanging strikes. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed cautious optimism about ending the conflict but cautioned that Washington would "go back to doing what we were doing" if the latest diplomatic efforts fail.

Diplomatic Pause Amid Escalation

The pause in hostilities follows nearly two weeks of daily U.S. airstrikes and tit-for-tat attacks that effectively unraveled the ceasefire brokered in June. Trump said he halted strikes on Friday at the request of countries mediating between the two sides, asking him to give negotiations another chance. The U.S. military had characterized its campaign as an effort to "degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," a vital global oil transport route. The lull has raised hopes of de-escalation, with oil prices falling more than 9% on Monday to $87.59 a barrel.

Iran Denies Direct Talks

Tehran has denied that any direct negotiations are underway. The conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, drew Iranian retaliation including missiles and drones targeting U.S. bases in Gulf states and assets in Israel. A June memorandum of understanding aimed to halt operations and reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 60 days, but resumed strikes on July 13 after Iranian forces attacked tankers in the waterway. Iran retaliated with attacks that killed four American soldiers. U.S. strikes have since killed dozens of people, according to Iran's health ministry, and over 600 U.S. service members have been injured since the war began.

Trump Dismisses Ammunition Shortage Claims

On board Air Force One, Trump also pushed back against media reports that the U.S. military was running low on ammunition after five months of combat. "We have a lot of ammunition. We have a lot of the mid-level stuff too, more than we could ever use, no matter what," he said, adding that a "lot of equipment" was being built, particularly Patriot anti-ballistic missiles. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly echoed the sentiment, stating that the military "has more than enough munitions, ammo, and stockpiles to serve all of President Trump's strategic goals and beyond." She added that the president has urged defense contractors to constantly produce more American-made weapons.

What Comes Next

As the pause enters its third day, the outcome of these negotiations will determine whether the region slides back into all-out conflict or achieves a sustained reduction in hostilities. While Trump expressed optimism that "something could happen," he left little doubt that the military option remains on the table. The international community watches closely, with oil markets already reacting to the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough.