U.S. President Donald Trump has asserted that Washington is making significant headway in talks with Iran, even suggesting that a “new, more reasonable regime” is now in place in Tehran. However, Iranian officials have denied any direct negotiations, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding diplomatic efforts.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed there had effectively been a “regime change” in Iran, stating that the United States was now engaging with “a whole different group of people.” He described ongoing discussions as “serious talks” and said progress had been substantial. Trump also told reporters that the U.S. had moved beyond the first and second “layers” of Iran’s leadership and was now dealing with a third.

Tehran, however, has pushed back on those claims. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei denied that any direct talks were taking place with Washington. He acknowledged that messages had been exchanged through intermediaries, indicating a U.S. interest in dialogue, but emphasized that no formal negotiations had been agreed upon.

Despite the mixed signals, there are signs of behind-the-scenes diplomatic activity. Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt, and Pakistan met over the weekend to discuss ways to end the ongoing conflict in the region. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the group explored the prospects of potential U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad, though he stopped short of confirming any imminent breakthrough.

Trump also claimed that Iran had allowed 20 oil tankers to pass through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz as a gesture of goodwill, though he did not specify whether the vessels were linked to the United States. The strait has been a major flashpoint in the conflict, with disruptions affecting global energy supplies.

At the same time, Trump issued a stark warning, saying that if a deal is not reached soon and shipping through Hormuz is not fully restored, the U.S. could escalate its military campaign. He threatened strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure, including power plants, oil facilities, and key sites such as Kharg Island.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has reinforced its military presence in the region, deploying over 50,000 troops, including elements of the 82nd Airborne Division. On the ground, hostilities continue, with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announcing a new wave of retaliatory strikes against U.S. and Israeli-linked targets, highlighting the fragile and volatile state of the crisis.