Trump insists he's negotiating with 'active, willing participant' on Iran's side

President Donald Trump on Monday declared that he was negotiating an agreement with a party in Iran that actively sought a mutual deal to end the conflict, though he declined to identify that party.

"I can't talk about a ceasefire, but I can tell you that we have a[n] active, willing participant on the other side. They would like to be able to make a deal. I can't say any more than that," Trump said.

The president has repeatedly declared that Iran seeks to negotiate an end to the conflict, despite Tehran's publicly bellicose stance and its rejection of core U.S. demands.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohamed Ghalibaf emerged as a leading figure reportedly at the center of negotiations, though his public position has remained hard line.

Trump previously set a Tuesday evening deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face the destruction of its civilian power grid and domestic infrastructure.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.