United States President, Donald Trump, has ruled out immediate negotiations with Iran, despite indications that Tehran is seeking dialogue.
“Their air defense, Air Force, Navy, and Leadership is gone. They want to talk. I said ‘Too Late!’” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Tuesday.
His statement came two days after he had said he agreed to talks, as the joint Israeli-US bombardment of Iran continued.
The conflict, now in its fourth day, has triggered mixed signals from the administration over the possibility of diplomacy, even as tensions escalate across the Middle East.
The military offensive began on February 28, 2026, with coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel targeting Iranian leadership, air defence systems, missile installations, naval assets, and command centres.
Several top Iranian officials were killed in the attacks, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian state media confirmed his death on March 1 and announced a period of national mourning.
Iran has since launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes on US bases, Israel and Gulf allies. Some of the attacks reportedly damaged infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
The US military has confirmed that six American service members have been killed since the conflict began.
Trump has defended the operation as a necessary response to Iran’s ballistic missile programme and nuclear ambitions, calling it the “last best chance” to eliminate threats to the US and its allies.