Trump says US is talking with Iran, but Tehran denies negotiations

In late July 2026, US President Donald Trump stated that the United States is currently in talks with Iran, describing them as "good talks." He also said the US is "close" with Israel on the Iran issue and paused strikes on Iran to give diplomacy another chance. However, Iran's foreign ministry firmly denied that any negotiations are underway, setting conditions for future talks instead. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelensky claimed that Russia is deepening its cooperation with Iran, adding a geopolitical layer to the situation. Senator John Kennedy warned Trump not to "cut and run" in Iran, reflecting internal US political debate over the approach.