Trump says Iran wants 'deal' to end war, but regime denies talks and strikes continue

PBS NewsHour
by Nick Schifrin
March 23, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Trump claims Iran seeks a deal, but Iran denies talks while both sides continue military strikes on each other.

AI Summary

President Trump claimed Iran is seeking a deal to end the conflict, but Iran's government immediately rejected the assertion and denied any ongoing negotiations. The U.S. and Israel continued strikes on Monday while Iran responded with retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the region, demonstrating the escalating military cycle. Trump's statement appears designed to suggest a diplomatic off-ramp, yet the tangible reality on the ground shows both sides remain locked in active combat operations. The contradiction between Trump's diplomatic framing and Iran's defiant posture—coupled with continued military exchanges—underscores the vast gap between the two sides' stated positions.

What's Being Done

The U.S. and Israel continued strikes on Monday while Iran responded with retaliatory missile and drone attacks.

Source Coverage Map

14 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

33% coverage
Did Not Cover (29)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP News96AP US News96AP Top News96+24 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Other Sources Covering This Story

5 sources

Multiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Latest on Iran as Trump says war will end "pretty soon"
Politics

Latest on Iran as Trump says war will end "pretty soon"

President Trump said Thursday that he is not sending troops into Iran, but he added, "if I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you," on Thursday. He also said the war is going to be over "pretty soon." CBS News' Eleanor Watson and Willie James Inman report.

CBS NewsMar 19
Trump cites Pearl Harbor to defend Iran war decision: 'Who knows surprise better than Japan?' - AP News
National Security

Trump cites Pearl Harbor to defend Iran war decision: 'Who knows surprise better than Japan?' - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi4AFBVV95cUxPclpWR09rY0hJZHdyVDdidjJRcUVfazFXTUZmU0dnZy1PUU02Tl9QbEI1bXBYaFJwUnYtRm9jMEdtUXlNQlMzUmgxdndnaEhueFg2anh6b1NRUzRsbDJzOG1NdEYxZlY0M0o2UTA5SHBmUVp0aHhJUGtCYjRSS1RNRWl1WjRzSURWSHRSVEpZUmJSdGdLVXA1dXBGcnFlbUJxMF9DWlktYTZlUE11SFhiellIcjNiVzU4MUk0OEJkTHpXNE9kQjFmVklmdjNkcE5OSDFWekQ5enhlTjNxdGlqSg?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump cites Pearl Harbor to defend Iran war decision: 'Who knows surprise better than Japan?'</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 19
Trump’s FCC chair wants American media to work like Iran’s state TV | Caitlin Vogus
Government Transparency

Trump’s FCC chair wants American media to work like Iran’s state TV | Caitlin Vogus

<p>If Brendan Carr and the US president’s attacks on the press aren’t stopped, the outcome could be dire</p><p>Over the weekend, Donald Trump fumed on Truth Social about newspapers covering attacks on US tanker aircrafts in Saudi Arabia. Within hours, Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/14/fcc-broadcast-permits-iran-war-news">reposted</a> Trump’s rant and vowed to revoke the licenses of broadcasters who air what he called “fake news”. For some extra brownie points, Carr tossed in a line about Trump’s “landslide election victory”, too.</p><p>Early on Monday, Trump completed the sycophantic cycle with a second post <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/16/trump-fcc-chair-broadcast-license-threat-iran-war">announcing</a> that he’s “thrilled” by Carr’s threats and accusing unnamed media outlets of “treason” and a lack of patriotism for reporting on AI fakes linked to Iran. (It’s not clear what Trump w...

The Guardian US NewsMar 17
'Online diplomacy': How Trump narrates war in Iran on Truth Social
Global

'Online diplomacy': How Trump narrates war in Iran on Truth Social

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, March 20: Donald Trump is turning to "online diplomacy" to defend his actions in Iran and lambast his critics on Truth Social. The Times of London looks at how Monica Witt, a US servicewoman-turned-spy for Iran, could play a crucial role in the war. Also: a Belgian court charges a former diplomat with involvement in the killing of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of independent DR Congo. Plus: a little possum is found among plush toys at an airport gift shop in Australia.

AFP / France 24Mar 20
Hegseth hammers European allies, media in staunch Trump defense over Iran war
National Security

Hegseth hammers European allies, media in staunch Trump defense over Iran war

Morning Report is The Hill’s a.m. newsletter. Subscribe here. In today’s issue: ▪ Hegseth goes after allies, media ▪ Trump says no boots on ground in Iran ▪ SAVE America Act votes coming ▪ Education Department portfolio moves Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has taken on the role of top attack dog defending President Trump while he oversees…

The HillMar 20
Politics chat: Trump's mixed messages on the Iran war, the latest on DHS funding
Politics

Politics chat: Trump's mixed messages on the Iran war, the latest on DHS funding

We look at President Trump's mixed messages on the war with Iran, plus the latest on Department of Homeland Security funding, which Congress has frozen over his immigration enforcement policies.

NPRMar 22
Read Next
Iran threatens to close Strait of Hormuz and hit power plants after Trump's 48-hour deadline
Global

Iran threatens to close Strait of Hormuz and hit power plants after Trump's 48-hour deadline

Iran said the Strait of Hormuz would be "completely closed" immediately if the U.S. follows up on Trump's new threat to attack its power plants. Trump late Saturday set a 48-hour deadline to open the strait.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources