President Donald Trump has confirmed the existence of a backchannel for peace talks with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a 60-day ceasefire deadline approaches its end. In an interview, Trump reiterated his primary demand that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons and stated that the country should "put up the white flag of surrender."
The direct communication with the IRGC reportedly bypasses mediators and Iranian political officials. Trump indicated that he is not in a hurry to reach a resolution, stating, "I have no time schedule."
Trump also issued a stern warning to Oman regarding its involvement in talks concerning Iran. When asked about the Gulf nation's role, he stated, "If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the s--- out of them."
The president commented on the upcoming Israeli elections, suggesting he would likely stay out of them but leaving open the possibility of endorsing a candidate. He also advised Israel against conducting strikes in Gaza, noting that efforts are underway for a plan that would involve the disarmament of Hamas.
Regarding concerns about the strain on U.S. weapons stockpiles due to ongoing conflicts, Trump downplayed the amount of American firepower used, describing it as "peanuts" and stating the U.S. possesses "a lot of mid-level weapons."