U.S. And Iran Claim The Other Side Wants To Engage To End The War But They Are Ignoring Them

Washington and Tehran are claiming that the other side is seeking to engage to take steps towards ending the war but they are ignoring them, according to different reports.

Drop Site News reported that special envoy Steve Witkoff sent messages to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, but the latter was not replying.

In contrast, Axios claimed that it was the other way around, and that it was Araghchi who was seeking to get a hold of Witkoff without success.

President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran had sought to communicate with the U.S. but wasn't clear whether they were allowed to make a deal.

"They want to make a deal. They are talking to our people... we have people wanting to negotiate, we have no idea who they are," he told press.

In Tehran, officials are saying that the regime is not interested in a temporary ceasefire because the U.S. and Israel could attack again at any times, and want guarantees for a permanent deal.

At the same time, Trump is reportedly considering an operation to seize Iran's key oil infrastructure in Kharg Island, something that would require having boots on the ground.

Axios detailed that such a move could take place if most of the world's tankers remain unable to go through the Strait of Hormuz as a result of Tehran's ongoing blockade of the key waterway.

The U.S. Central Command said it conducted "precision strikes" on 90 military targets in Kharg Island while "preserving the oil infrastructure." "I didn't do anything having to do with the energy lines, because having to rebuild that would take years," Trump said about the strikes.

The outlet noted that only Iranian crude going to China has been able to go through the strait over the past days. However, Trump said on Saturday that the U.S. would form a coalition of countries that would send warships to the area to escort ships. He called on China, France, Japan, the U.S. and South Korea to help.

"We are talking to other countries about policing the straits. It will be nice to have other countries policing with us. We will help. We are getting a good response," Trump told press aboard the Air Force One.