Trump says U.S. in ‘serious discussions’ to end Iran war, but repeats energy threats

President Trump said Monday that the United States had begun “serious discussions” with the Iranian regime to end the war, but warned he would destroy the Islamic republic’s energy infrastructure if a deal was not reached soon.

Mr. Trump’s comments come as the war enters its second month and amid signs he is considering escalating it. Thousands of troops, including 2,500 Marines and 2,500 sailors, arrived in the region last week.

The president said negotiations with the Iranian regime were showing “great progress” and predicted a deal would be reached “shortly.” But he also reiterated his threat to “destroy” Iran’s energy infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened.

“If the Strait of Hormuz is not immediately ‘open for business,’ we will conclude our pleasant ‘stay’ in Iran by blowing up and completely wiping out all of its power plants, oil wells, and Kharg Island (and maybe all of the desalination plants!) that we have intentionally not ‘touched’ yet,” Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social.

“This will be in retaliation for our many soldiers and others, whom Iran massacred and killed during the former regime’s 47-year ‘reign of terror,'” he added.

Earlier on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said US demands to end the war were “excessive and unreasonable.”

Mr. Baghaei said Tehran had “no direct negotiations with the United States” and that all discussions were conducted “through intermediaries on the United States’ intention to negotiate,” according to Iranian media.

He also accused Washington of “constantly” changing its demands, saying he did not know “how many people in the United States take seriously the claims of American diplomacy.”