President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that no talks or conversations are ongoing or scheduled with Iran, contradicting a claim by his senior adviser Jared Kushner that communications between the two nations are "more robust" than ever.
Trump’s statement on Truth Social followed a memorandum of understanding signed with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on June 17, which had signaled progress in diplomatic efforts. Kushner, speaking to Fox News on Monday, asserted that the U.S. and Iran "continue to have communications" and that President Trump is awaiting the "right deal" before finalizing any agreement.
Naval blockade and regional stability remain in place, according to Trump, who noted that the Hormuz Strait remains open and that all water mines have been removed or detonated. Meanwhile, Kushner described the communications as involving a backchannel with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a faction often at odds with civilian negotiators in Tehran.
Iran’s stance on negotiations remains ambiguous. While Trump claimed Iranian officials "want to make a deal," he added that they are unlikely to accept terms he deems sufficient. Iranian denials of backchannel communications have further complicated the picture, with reports suggesting the IRGC holds significant influence over Iran’s negotiating positions.
Expert assessment of US strategy
Sina Azodi, an assistant professor at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, characterized the conflicting statements as evidence that the U.S. currently lacks a coherent strategy in its dealings with Iran. Azodi’s remarks were provided to Newsweek.
Background on diplomatic efforts
Diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Iran were paused following the launch of a conflict by the U.S. and Israel on February 28. A ceasefire in April led to renewed interactions, culminating in the June 17 memorandum of understanding. However, the nature and scope of ongoing communications remain a point of contention.
Kushner’s assessment of Iran’s approach
Kushner, in his Fox News interview, accused Iranian officials of attempting to "trick" the U.S. with false concessions and hiding key details. He emphasized that Iran must demonstrate a serious commitment to negotiations, though he did not specify the terms under consideration. The IRGC’s role in these discussions remains unclear, with past negotiations often stymied by the group’s actions, including attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Uncertainty over negotiators’ authority
Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously highlighted the fragmented nature of Iran’s decision-making process, noting that Iranian negotiators often lack the authority to make binding concessions. Rubio described a system where proposals must be routed through multiple layers of Iran’s government, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, before receiving approval.
White House response pending
Newsweek has reached out to the White House for comment on the conflicting statements and the status of negotiations.