President Donald Trump said Monday the U.S. was holding "good talks" with Iran and saw a real chance of a deal but warned strikes would resume if negotiations collapse. "I think there's a good chance that something could happen" he said "and if it doesn't, we go back to doing what we were doing two days ago."
Washington had abruptly paused a two-week bombing campaign against Iran on Saturday marking another shift in the five-month conflict. Speaking later at a Michigan rally with Trump struck a tougher tone, saying Iran couldn't be bribed and "you've got to beat them."
Despite the diplomatic optimism, Tehran appeared to test the pause. Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq all reported drone attacks Monday. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted drones aimed at oil targets in Riyadh allegedly launched from Iraq by Iran-backed groups, and warned it may respond. Yemen's Houthis, allied with Iran, said they struck a pipeline feeding Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port of Yanbu.
Iran's military accused Washington of threatening tankers and attempting an "illegal maritime blockade" in its waters, calling it an escalation. Tehran also said it retains control of the Strait of Hormuz, the critical oil route Trump wants kept open.
Iran's Foreign Ministry denied requesting talks, calling such reports "fabricated," though spokesman Esmail Baghaei said messages were still being exchanged through mediators. A senior Iranian official told Reuters Iran would halt its own attacks as long as Trump's ceasefire holds.
