President Donald Trump, joined by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, addresses the conflict in Iran on April 6, 2026, in Washington.
Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Images
President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States and Iran have agreed to keep peace negotiations alive, despite the collapse of a ceasefire reached under last month’s preliminary agreement.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump asserted that Iran “has asked us to continue ‘talks,’” adding that the United States “agreed to do so.”
“But the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!” Trump wrote.
Iranian state media outlets did not immediately confirm or dispute Trump’s claim that Tehran had requested further discussions.
The president’s remarks appeared to confirm a report from MS NOW, which cited a U.S. official saying the two adversaries are expected to hold “technical talks” and remain engaged in efforts to find a path forward, even as fighting has resumed.
Earlier in the week, during the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was “over” after reported Iranian attacks Tuesday on commercial ships near the Strait of Hormuz triggered a renewed round of hostilities.
“I don’t want to deal with [Iran] anymore,” Trump said at the summit.
On his way back from the summit, Trump said that Iran had called to make a deal to cease the escalating hostilities in the Middle East.
“They called a little while ago. They want to make a deal so badly,” he said at that time. “I just don’t know if they’re worthy of making a deal. I don’t know that they’re going to honor the deal. That’s the problem.”
Iranian officials have accused the U.S. of not honoring the preliminary deal. Iran cited violation of “Iranian adjustments” in the Strait of Hormuz, “persistent threats of further strikes,” and the reinstatement of oil sanctions by the United States.
The U.S. military conducted renewed rounds of offensive strikes against Iran in retaliation for three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz coming under attack. The U.S. Treasury Department subsequently withdrew a waiver that had allowed Iran to sell its oil.
Oil prices were marginally lower on Friday in Asia trading, with global benchmark Brent crude futures for September delivery easing to $76.3 per barrel while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures at $71.87.
