Trump says Iran involved in Gaza ceasefire-hostage talks

“Gaza right now is in the midst of a massive negotiation between us and Hamas and Israel, and Iran actually is involved,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We want to get the hostages back.”

Trump gave no further details.

The US has proposed a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. Israel has accepted the plan, while Hamas has not agreed. The proposal includes the release of 28 Israeli hostages, both living and dead, in exchange for 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and the remains of 180 Palestinians.

Separately, Trump said talks with Iran on its nuclear program were continuing but differences remained. He said Iran wanted to continue enriching uranium, which the US opposes.

“They seek enrichment. We can’t have enrichment,” Trump said.

Earlier on Monday, Iran’s foreign ministry said it would soon present a counter-proposal to a recent US offer, which it has called unacceptable.

Trump told reporters he expected the next round of discussions to take place on Thursday. However, Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei later said the next round of indirect negotiations was being planned for Sunday in Muscat.

The White House has received indications that despite saying "no," Iran will express interest in continuing the nuclear talks with the United States, Axios reported on Monday citing a senior White House official.

"We sent the Iranians and very tough proposal, and we expect that they will give a harsh response," the official was quoted as saying.

"Based on the consultations held, the next round of indirect Iran-US talks is being planned for Sunday in Muscat," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman told reporters on Monday.

Esmaeil Baghaei also confirmed that Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Oslo on Wednesday and Thursday.

The sixth round of Iran-US talks will be held either in Oslo or Muscat, Axios reported on Monday citing a US official.

While Donald Trump said earlier in the day the talks will be held on Thursday, Axios reports they are scheduled for either Friday (in Norway) or Sunday (in Oman).

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Norway on Wednesday and Thursday to attend the Oslo Forum, according to Iranian media.

It remains unclear whether he will engage in any nuclear talks with the United States during his visit.

An Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear sites may push Tehran toward pursuing a bomb, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi told Israeli news channel i24News.

Such an attack "might have an amalgamating effect which would make a determination on the part of Iran to go to a nuclear weapon or to abandon the treaty on non-proliferation. I’m telling you this because they have told me,” Grossi said.

The IAEA chief emphasized the difficulty any military operation would have of destroying Iran's nuclear capabilities.

“Certainly this program runs wide and deep. And when I say deep, I know what I’m saying. So many of these facilities are extremely well protected. This would require a very, very devastating force to affect it.”

Read more