Trump's optimistic assessment stands in sharp contrast to statements from senior Iranian officials, who have publicly rejected reports of negotiations and insisted that the United States must meet Tehran's conditions before the war can end.

Even when peace is plainly out of reach, there remains a temptation to repeat the language of peace, present it as political theater and persuade ourselves that military victory is impossible.

Tehran rejected the latest U.S. proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, insisting the strategic waterway will remain closed until the war ends completely.

The statement revealed the creation of a deconfliction mechanism involving the parties and the Lebanese government to support implementation of the cessation of military operations outlined in the memorandum of understanding.