The more things change, the more they stay the same… Donald Trump has sparked more criticism on social media after yet again claiming that Iran is ready to make a deal to end the war. Trump launched the US into a war with Iran without a plan or clear objective for when it would end. It is a war which has cost thousands of lives and seen the price of fuel and other goods surge thanks to blockades of the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping channel. With talks continually in the works, some previously accused Trump of coming up with promises that are not accurate – a recent example came when Trump suggested the unfrozen, previously sanctioned oil money Iran will be getting back would be used to purchase food “exclusively through the United States from our farmers”. This week, Trump made the claim that he had spoken to Iranian officials an hour before sitting down for an interview with Fox News. "I have spoken to them... [my representatives spoke to Iran] an hour ago. They want to make a deal, but every time they make a deal they break it. They don't want to die, people don't want to die," he said. "We're being very careful with the population... but I said 'you're going to have to be very careful or you're not going to have anything left'." Trump added: "They should [make a deal]. I don't know if they will or not." One critic wrote on social media: "bro literally says the same thing every day for 5 months i think i will actually go mentally insane if i have to read this one more time." The MediaTouch account wrote: "He always says this when he is backed into a corner. When he talks like this, all Iran sees is an individual desperate to save face." Another said: "He’s been saying this for months." It’s not the first time Trump has made comments that sparked criticism about Iran this week, after he compared it to the Vietnam war. The continuing conflict led to CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins asking the 80-year-old in the Oval Office on Monday whether the situation in Iran is a “new normal” for Americans. Trump replied: “Well, you know, we were in Vietnam for 19 years, we’re here for four months. So I think we’ve done a lot.” Why not read… - Trump says he's been president 'three times' – people are tired of it - Trump compares Iran to war he didn’t serve in: 'Certainly a choice' Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
The more things change, the more they stay the same… Donald Trump has sparked more criticism on social media after yet again claiming that Iran is ready to make a deal to end the war. Trump launched the US into a war with Iran without a plan or clear objective for when it would e…
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International mediators have proposed a 10-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran, according to a senior Iranian official cited in reports. The measure is described as intended to reduce hostilities and allow renewed talks on a prior interim agreement.
Both sides are assessing next steps in the current regional security situation.
Reports indicate that a US-Iran ceasefire has broken down amid renewed fighting, with the potential impact of mediation efforts by Pakistan, Qatar, and Oman remaining unclear. Earlier diplomatic steps included a June memorandum of understanding between the parties for further negotiations and talks hosted in Geneva in February.
The summary also references Europe’s historical role in diplomacy, including the 1814-15 Congress of Vienna.
Why the Iran-US ceasefire is falling apart Iran and the US have resumed fighting because they don’t see each other as ‘reliable negotiating partners’, says analyst Ali Vaez. Neither Iran nor the United States seems able to deliver a “knockout blow at an acceptable price” to the other side, and both know “they have no choice other than engaging in diplomacy”, but they’re not ready to make uncomfortable concessions, argues Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at International Crisis Group.
Vaez tells host Steve Clemons that Tehran and Washington are trying to “enforce their own interpretation” of the ceasefire agreement they signed last month. President Trump has become “frustrated” with diplomacy because he’s not seeing “the kind of quick results that he likes to see”, Vaez says.
A file photo of Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting, New York, US, December 23, 2025. /VCG A file photo of Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting, New York, US, December 23, 2025.
/VCG China on Friday called for efforts to preserve the ceasefire and prevent further escalation in the Middle East, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to resolving the Iran nuclear issue. Speaking at an open meeting of the UN Security Council on the Iran nuclear issue on Friday, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said tensions in the region had eased temporarily after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), but the ceasefire situation has since faced setbacks and prospects for negotiations remain complicated.
"The proper resolution of the Iran nuclear issue bears on whether the Middle East can return to peace and stability, as well as the common interests of the international community," Sun said. He urged all relevant parties to advance negotiations with a rational and pragmatic approach.
Sun noted that under the MoU, the United States and Iran committed to respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, permanently halting military activities on all fronts, and establishing a roadmap for negotiations and sanctions relief.
China called on all parties to remove obstacles, refrain from resorting to force or threatening the use of force, and uphold and implement the outcomes of the MoU, Sun said. He also urged efforts to reach a solution that addresses the concerns of all sides, lift sanctions against Iran as soon as possible, and make substantive progress toward a political settlement.
Sun stressed that resolving the Iran nuclear issue requires respecting the legitimate concerns and lawful rights of all parties. "Iran should continue to uphold its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, while its legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy should be respected," he said.
Sun called on the United States to take concrete actions to create conditions for a political solution, adding that the Security Council's immediate priority should be to maintain an objective and impartial stance, provide time and space for diplomatic efforts, and create a favorable environment for negotiations.
He stressed that the UN Security Council should not become a tool for individual countries to advance their political agendas or exert pressure. Before the meeting began, the Russian representative said that the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear program, had expired and that the Iran nuclear issue had been removed from the Council's agenda.
Russia requested a procedural vote on whether to proceed with the meeting. Sun later spoke in support of Russia's position. Sun said China has repeatedly stated that Resolution 2231 expired on October 18, 2025, after which the Security Council terminated its consideration of the Iran nuclear issue and the UN secretary-general should stop submitting related reports.
"The current situation in the Middle East and the Iran nuclear issue are at a critical juncture. The Security Council should play a constructive role in promoting negotiations and easing tensions," Sun said. He expressed concern that some Security Council members had insisted on holding a meeting under an agenda item that had already been terminated, claiming to support diplomatic efforts.
Such actions, he said, would not only deepen divisions within the Security Council, but also undermine the atmosphere for negotiations and seriously hinder a political resolution of the Iran nuclear issue. China urged relevant countries to stop political manipulation at the Security Council, implement the termination provisions of Resolution 2231, safeguard the authority of the Council and the credibility of multilateral diplomacy, and create favorable conditions for a political settlement.
China voted against the procedural motion on the meeting agenda.