US-Iran Talks Likely This Week Despite Trump's Truce Rejection

U.S. President Donald Trump says he expects the United States and Iran to hold more talks this week, a day after confirming he had rejected Iran's latest truce proposal.

In a phone interview with the U.S. news outlet Axios, Trump said, "I expect more talks with Iran this week."

Citing two regional sources, Axios reported that another round of indirect dialogue between the two countries could take place as early as Monday, though it remained unclear whether the sides could bridge their differences.

Asked whether he was considering a return to strikes against Iran, Trump replied, "I am always thinking about it."

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held a fresh round of indirect negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, according to the report.

Axios reported that Iran had proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear talks within a week, on condition that the United States lift its naval blockade, remove sanctions on Iranian oil sales and restore a regional ceasefire. Trump rejected the proposal on Saturday.

Araghchi told NBC recently that Iran still wants a diplomatic solution despite Trump's rejection. "Though we heard from President Trump that he's rejecting this deal, we are still waiting for an official response through the mediators," he said.