As we reported, President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to Iran Saturday, declaring that if they didn’t fully open the Strait of Hormuz by Monday evening, we would strike their power plants and send them back into the dark ages.
On Monday morning, however, he said on social media that ongoing talks were fruitful and that he would pause those strikes for a period of five days.
He gave more information on the situation as he spoke to reporters Monday morning before embarking on Air Force One to depart West Palm Beach, Florida, (with a reported stop in Tennessee for a “Memphis Safe Task Force” roundtable) to head back to Washington D.C.
They'd better make a deal, he declared, or we’ll just keep bombing them:
TRUMP: "They want very much to make a deal...We're going to get together TODAY!"
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 23, 2026
"We're gonna end up settling this. Otherwise we're gonna just keep bombing our little hearts out." pic.twitter.com/WOJpw7hAkD
They'll be talking later today, he said.
President Donald Trump's administration will speak with Iran's leadership later Monday after the two sides found "major points of agreement," the president says.
Trump made the comments while speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One on Monday. He did not name the Iranian officials engaged in talks, but said he had not spoken with Mojtaba Khamenei, who was formally installed as Iran's supreme leader earlier this month.
"We're gonna get together today," Trump said, saying the meeting will be by phone. He predicted that the war could end in the next 5-day period if the exchange "goes well."
He was coy about who exactly he was dealing with and who might be the new leader of Iran. He brushed off suggestions, however, that it was former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's son, Mojtaba, who was named the new leader by what's left of the regime but has yet to make a public appearance.
TRUMP: Nobody wants to be the new leader of Iran.
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 23, 2026
"Perhaps we'll be able to solve that problem." pic.twitter.com/m01aGU4G3R
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He reiterated, however, that an end could be in sight:
.@POTUS on Iran: "We have had very, very strong talks. We'll see where they lead. We have major points of agreement... They went, I would say perfectly. I would say that if they carry through with that, it'll end that problem, that conflict." https://t.co/PZtpN5T0jG pic.twitter.com/k9NjYAbvnH
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 23, 2026
Who is the person or persons he's dealing with? He wouldn't say:
.@POTUS: "We're dealing with the man who, I believe, is the most respected and the 'leader.' It's a little tough — we've wiped out everybody."
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 23, 2026
REPORTER: "Is that the Supreme Leader?"@POTUS: "No." pic.twitter.com/cdAgT4jljP
Iran, however, rejected assertions that the two sides are nearing an agreement:
Trump first announced talks with Iran earlier Monday morning, only to be met with a denial from Iranian state media.
Trump dismissed that denial while speaking to reporters, saying some Iranian officials are in confusion thanks to the destabilization of the nation's communication infrastructure.
RedState will keep you updated as this story continues to develop.
Editor's Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
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