Trump: Iran Did Not Inform US Before Suspending Talks

Iran announced Monday that it is suspending its indirect negotiations with the United States, pointing to Israel’s widening military campaign in Lebanon as the reason for the move, according to a report published by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

The report said Iran’s delegation would stop participating in “talks and the exchange of texts through mediators,” adding another obstacle to efforts by Washington and Tehran to advance a wider diplomatic understanding.

Speaking to NBC News, President Donald Trump said his administration received no prior warning that Tehran intended to halt the discussions.

“It’s an appropriate thing to say, because they’re better negotiators than they are fighters,” Trump said. “But they haven’t informed us of that.”

Trump also indicated that Iran’s decision would not automatically trigger an escalation by the United States.

“It doesn’t mean we’re going to go and start dropping bombs all over there,” he told NBC News. “We’ll keep the blockade.”

Tasnim further reported that Iranian officials are weighing more aggressive measures, including a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz and restrictions on passage through other critical maritime routes such as the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, in an effort to increase pressure on Israel and countries aligned with it.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also weighed in on the developments, posting a message on X in which he linked any understanding with Washington to the broader regional situation.

A “ceasefire between Iran and the US is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”

“The US and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation,” he added.

At the same time, Reuters reported that Tehran is attempting to secure a limited interim arrangement with Washington as it grapples with severe economic challenges while seeking to avoid major compromises regarding its nuclear activities.

According to Reuters, which cited three Iranian sources familiar with internal discussions, Iran is pursuing a temporary deal that would lower tensions with the United States, unlock access to financial resources, and ease economic hardship without settling the most contentious disputes surrounding uranium enrichment and other aspects of its nuclear program.

The report said Iranian officials view such a temporary understanding as a practical way to obtain economic breathing room and shore up domestic stability while delaying decisions on more politically sensitive nuclear issues.

Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, told Reuters that Iranian leaders appear to believe “that dialogue, even limited dialogue, is preferable to entering an open-ended period of economic attrition and uncertainty.”

Reuters added that Iran’s leadership is increasingly worried about worsening economic conditions at home, including persistent inflation, a weakening currency, and falling standards of living. Officials reportedly believe that even short-term access to additional funds could help ease public frustration and reduce the risk of renewed domestic unrest.