Trump Postpones Iran Warning, Announces 'Constructive' Negotiations

U.S. President Donald Trump announced he has postponed a warning to Iran for another five days and described negotiations with the Islamic Republic as "constructive" and "intense." He stated that if the talks fail, bombing of Iran would continue, without specifying whether power plants would be among the next targets.

Trump also admitted contact with a "highly respected" person in Iran, whom Israeli media identified as Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Regional diplomatic activity has intensified. Axios reported that Iranian and U.S. sides may hold negotiations in Islamabad by the end of the week. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Britain confirmed awareness of the Iran-U.S. talks.

Qalibaf denied reports of a scheduled meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in a post on his X account.

The developments come amid reports of recent assassination of Ali Larijani, a figure trusted by Iran's leadership, and ongoing war conditions, including references to a prior 12-day war. Iranian officials have maintained ambiguity on direct negotiations with the U.S., citing internal sensitivities.