US President Donald Trump has said negotiations over the conflict with Iran are taking place during a pause in strikes, BBC News reported, after three consecutive days in which the opposing sides did not exchange attacks.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday, Trump said there was “a good chance” of progress, but warned that Washington would resume its previous actions if the talks did not succeed. Tehran has denied that any direct negotiations are under way.
Trump said he had halted US strikes on Iran on Friday after countries mediating between the sides asked him to allow more time for talks.
The pause came after almost two weeks of daily US strikes and retaliatory attacks, which BBC News reported had effectively undermined a ceasefire agreed in June. The US military said its strikes were intended to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route.
Oil prices fell by more than 9% at one stage on Monday, reaching $87.59 a barrel, amid hopes that the conflict could ease.
Trump also rejected media reports that US ammunition supplies were running low after five months of fighting. He said the United States had “a lot of ammunition” and was building more equipment, including Patriot anti-ballistic missile systems.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said the US military had enough munitions and stockpiles to meet Trump’s strategic aims, while adding that the president had urged defence contractors to keep producing US-made weapons.
According to BBC News, the US and Israel began strikes against Iran on 28 February. Iran responded with missiles and drones aimed at US military bases and other assets in Gulf states, as well as targets in Israel.
In June, Iran and the US signed a memorandum of understanding to halt military operations, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and seek an agreement to end the war within 60 days. Washington resumed air strikes and reinstated a naval blockade after Iranian forces attacked tankers in the waterway on 13 July.
Tehran then carried out attacks on US military facilities and bases across the Middle East, killing four American soldiers. Iran’s health ministry says subsequent US strikes have killed dozens of people.
