Trump says Iran talks could resume ‘at some point,’ threatens ‘draconian’ sanctions

Published August 19, 2026 8:07pm ET | Updated August 20, 2026 10:13am ET



President Donald Trump on Wednesday suggested the United States could resume peace talks with Iran but claimed the war’s status quo is “very good” as he expressed confidence that concerns about the Strait of Hormuz are being resolved.

Trump initially said Tuesday that U.S. negotiators were not talking to their Iranian counterparts, a day after a 60-day ceasefire between the two countries expired. At the time, the president said he had “no time schedule” and is “not in a hurry” to negotiate with Iran, arguing that “they should put up the white flag of surrender.”

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