• Trump: Iranian leaders are “eager to make a deal”
• Araghchi: No talks underway, but we are reviewing the U.S. proposal
• Conflict repercussions deepen as UN chief urges de-escalation
• Stocks fall and oil rises as ceasefire optimism fades
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran is highly eager to reach an agreement to end the fighting that has been ongoing for nearly four weeks, contradicting statements by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who confirmed that Tehran is studying a U.S. ceasefire proposal but has no intention of entering negotiations to end the conflict.
Araghchi added that Tehran and Washington have exchanged messages through intermediaries, but there is no direct dialogue or negotiations with the United States. In an interview with state television on Wednesday, he said: “Messages are being conveyed by friendly countries, and we respond by clarifying our positions or issuing necessary warnings. This cannot be called negotiation or dialogue… it is merely an exchange of messages through our friends.”
Speaking later at an event in Washington, Trump said Iranian leaders are “negotiating, by the way, and they very much want to make a deal, but they are afraid to say so because they fear their own people—and they also fear us.”
Trump did not specify who the United States is negotiating with in Iran, particularly as several senior officials have been killed amid the broader conflict across the Middle East since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, followed by Iranian attacks on Israel, U.S. bases, and Gulf countries.
An Israeli strike reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war. He was succeeded by his son Mojtaba Khamenei, who was injured in the strikes and has not appeared publicly since assuming the position.
Major repercussions
The consequences of the conflict—described as triggering the worst energy crisis on record—have extended far beyond the region.
With the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, fuel shortages are spreading worldwide. Businesses—from airlines to major retailers and used-car traders—are facing rising costs, weakening demand, and supply chain disruptions. Some governments are considering support measures similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Farmers are struggling to secure diesel for tractors, while the World Food Programme has warned that tens of millions could face severe hunger if the war continues into June.
According to three Israeli government sources, a 15-point proposal conveyed via Pakistan includes eliminating Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, halting enrichment activities, curbing its ballistic missile program, and ending support for allied groups in the region.
The White House declined to disclose details of its proposal and warned of escalating strikes. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said: “If they do not realize they have been militarily defeated—and will continue to be—the president will ensure they are hit harder than ever before.”
An Israeli defense official expressed doubt that Iran would accept the terms and concern that U.S. negotiators might offer concessions. Another source said Israel also wants any agreement to preserve the option of launching preemptive strikes.
Regional sources familiar with Iran’s position said Tehran has informed mediators that Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement involving the United States and Israel.
Stocks down, oil up
On Thursday, optimism about ending the conflict faded after briefly lifting global stock markets in the previous session, while oil prices resumed their upward trend.
Tsuyoshi Ueno, chief economist at NLI Research Institute, said: “Optimism over a ceasefire has faded.”
Meanwhile, missiles and drones continued to strike targets across the Gulf. Early Thursday, the Israeli military announced a large wave of strikes targeting infrastructure in several areas of Iran, following another round of attacks on Wednesday.
Admiral Brad Cooper said the United States has struck more than 10,000 targets inside Iran and is working to reduce its ability to project power beyond its borders.
In a video press conference, Cooper said 92% of Iran’s largest naval vessels have been destroyed, and drone and missile launch rates have dropped by more than 90%. He added that U.S. and Israeli forces have damaged or destroyed two-thirds of Iran’s missile and drone production facilities, as well as naval facilities and shipyards.
Sources told Reuters that the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) is planning to deploy thousands of troops by air to the Gulf, giving Trump more options regarding a potential ground offensive, while two Marine divisions are already en route. The first unit is expected to arrive aboard a large amphibious assault ship by the end of the month.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Wednesday that “the world risks a wider war” in the region.
Speaking at UN headquarters in New York, he said: “It is time to stop climbing the ladder of escalation—and start climbing the ladder of diplomacy.”
Reuters
