23.03.2026 22:50
After the statement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who attempted to lower tensions by saying, "We want to reach an agreement with Iran," Israel carried out one of its heaviest airstrikes on Iran's Isfahan city in recent times. While explosion sounds were heard from many points in Isfahan, Iran also carried out retaliatory attacks on the Tel Aviv area. Additionally, Israel struck the Dahiye area in southern Beirut once again.
After U.S. President Donald Trump's statement, "We want to negotiate with Iran," conflicts in the Middle East intensified. Israel carried out one of the heaviest airstrikes in recent times on Isfahan, a city of strategic importance to Iran.
ISRAEL ATTACKS IRAN AND LEBANON
As explosions were heard from many points in the city, the Israeli army also heavily shelled the Dahiye area south of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.
IRAN CARRIED OUT RETALIATORY ATTACKS
In response to these attacks, Iran launched retaliatory missiles targeting the Tel Aviv area. As mutual attacks deepened the humanitarian crisis in the region, the contradiction between the search for a diplomatic solution and the military escalation on the ground is being closely monitored by the international community.
TRUMP: WE WANT TO NEGOTIATE WITH IRAN TOO
Speaking to the press in Florida, U.S. President Donald Trump said, "We want to negotiate with Iran too. We have a very good chance of making a deal. Khamenei has been killed. You know there is a situation regarding his son that is obvious. I do not wish for Mojtaba Khamenei to die."
Continuing his remarks, Trump stated, "I think Israel would be very happy with a peace agreement. We spoke recently. We want peace for Israel as well. My life is built on deals. I believe this will happen in a while. They were expecting us to bomb their largest power plant tomorrow morning. I did not call them; they called us and said they wanted to make a deal with us. They are ready to make a deal regarding not producing nuclear weapons. If we make a deal with them, we will go there and take the enriched uranium ourselves."
"WE HAVE A VERY GOOD CHANCE"
We have a very good chance of making a deal. I am not making a claim because then you will turn to me and say, 'You said that.' If I were to make a guess, I would say four weeks."
On the other hand, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf denied U.S. President Donald Trump's statements about having discussions with Iran.
"WE ARE GIVING FIVE DAYS"
In a final assessment regarding the "negotiation statements with Iran," U.S. President Donald Trump said, "Now Iran has one last opportunity to end these threats for America and our allies, and we hope they take advantage of it. I think they are very good; they want peace. They agreed not to have nuclear weapons, but we will see. We are giving five days, and then we will see where this takes us. At the end of the period, I think it could be a very good deal for everyone."
DID NOT NAME THE PERSON DISCUSSED
In response to the question of who was discussed on the Iranian side, Trump stated, "With the highest-level names. As you know, we largely eliminated the leadership. But we are talking to the person I think is the most respected and in a leadership position." When asked if the person discussed was the country's new religious leader, Trump replied, "No, not the religious leader. He is no longer a decisive figure. There is no such thing as a second religious leader. We have not heard from his son. We do not know if he is alive. But it seems there are some people who are running the country. We base this on the facts because what they said has happened."
NO NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE U.S., AIMING TO MANIPULATE FINANCE AND OIL MARKETS
Qalibaf stated, "The Iranian people demand the harshest punishment for the aggressors. Until this goal is achieved, all Iranian officials stand firmly behind their supreme leader and their people. There have been no negotiations with the U.S.; fake news is being used to manipulate finance and oil markets and to get the U.S. and Israel out of the deadlock they are in."
BEKAYI: NO CHANGE IN IRAN'S POSITION
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ismail Bekayi also stated that in recent days, messages regarding the U.S.'s request for negotiations to end the war have been conveyed through some countries, saying, "These messages have been responded to appropriately in line with the country's fundamental principles." Bekayi reiterated that there have been no discussions or negotiations with the U.S. during the ongoing war process for the last 24 days and noted that there has been no change in Iran's position regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the conditions for ending the war.