Trump Says He’s Talking With Iran. Iran Says He’s Not.

President Trump can’t stop talking about how much his administration is negotiating with Iran about ending a war that has lasted almost a month.

Iran can’t stop denying those talks are taking place.

It’s an unusual dynamic. Often, when countries are in talks to end a conflict, both of them admit it. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, for example, the two sides have often acknowledged that they’re in cease-fire talks, even as they disagree about the terms of a truce.

But the Iran war is an unusual conflict, and for both Tehran and Mr. Trump, the strategies make sense.

Trump’s strategy: Talk, talk, talk about talks

The United States and Israel’s barrage against Iran has killed many top Iranian leaders and destroyed military infrastructure, among other objectives. It is also unpopular with the American public, partly because it has created a choke point for global oil deliveries that has driven up the price of gasoline.

If you are a president torn between your glee at the success of the attacks and your fears of political backlash that could cost your party control of Congress this fall, what can you do?

Mr. Trump’s answer: Start raising hopes that the war might end soon.

On Monday, Mr. Trump said America and Iran were having “really good discussions” to resolve the conflict. “They want peace,” he added.

On Tuesday, Mr. Trump again posted to social media about productive talks with Iran. He told reporters the talks included Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

How did that work out for him? Not badly, so far. Oil prices are down more than 10 percent globally since he started talking so much about talking. Stock prices, after a bit of a roller coaster, are up.

If nothing else, Mr. Trump could be buying time — politically and otherwise — as more American military assets move into the region.

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