Iran’s military, fully debunking claims by President Donald Trump that negotiations are under way to end the conflict, dismissed the idea of any talks being in place, and actively mocked the US leader in unusually blunt terms as fighting enters its fourth week.
Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran’s joint military command, told state television: “Has the level of your inner struggle reached the stage of you negotiating with yourself” He added: “People like us can never get along with people like you… no one like us will make a deal with you. Not now. Not ever.”
The remarks come as fighting between Iran and Israel enters its fourth week, with continued exchanges of airstrikes. The Israel Defence Forces said it had targeted infrastructure across Tehran, with Iranian media reporting damage in residential areas.
On the ground, hostilities continue to intensify. The IDF said it had carried out wide ranging strikes across infrastructure in Tehran, while Iranian media reported damage as well as casualties among civilians.
The conflict has also expanded across the region, with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia stating they intercepted drones targeting key facilities, while Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported further missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities and US-linked military bases.
Washington has reportedly floated a broad framework for de-escalation, including a proposed 15-point plan involving a month-long ceasefire, limits on Iran’s nuclear programme and steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iranian officials have repeatedly rejected the premise of any negotiations taking place and actively mocked the suggestion.
Furthermore, Iran’s foreign ministry said it no longer trusts US diplomacy, pointing to past instances where talks coincided with military escalation, reinforcing scepticism in Tehran about any proposed settlement.
Meanwhile, the war continues to disrupt global energy markets, as global shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz — which normally carries around 20% of global crude exports — remain blocked with very limited access, heavily tightening supply and driving volatility.
The impact has been particularly acute in Asia, where economies heavily dependent on Gulf oil have begun drawing on strategic reserves and implementing emergency measures to stabilise supply, as uncertainty over the duration of the conflict persists.
