WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump said the United States is conducting negotiations with Iran to end the war between the two countries and has sent Tehran a 15-point peace plan.

"We're actually talking to the right people and they want to make a deal so badly--you have no idea how badly they want to make a deal," Trump said. "We're in negotiations right now."

Trump said that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were involved in the negotiations. He said that Iran had agreed it would never have nuclear weapons. He did not identify any individuals with whom the United States was negotiating and said he had no timetable for meetings or calls.

The United States sought a month-long cease-fire to discuss the peace plan that included keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, dismantling Iran's nuclear program, ending its support for proxy groups, and removing all sanctions on Tehran. He said the group had given the United States a very big present related to oil and gas. He suggested the present was related to the Strait of Hormuz.

"This war has been won. Iran is totally defeated," he said.

The speaker of Iran's parliament denied that Tehran had held negotiations with the United States. Washington and Israel signaled that the war could continue, while Tehran warned that further escalation could trigger a broader regional response.

The conflict began with U.S. and Israeli air strikes on Iran on February 28. Israel conducted strikes inside Iran, including on Tehran and on critical military and energy infrastructure. On March 21, the United States struck Iran's Natanz nuclear site.

By March 24, the conflict had entered its fourth week, with sustained Israeli strikes and continued Iranian retaliation. Iranian missiles and drones struck ammunition depots and military installations in Yeshresh, Dimona, and the Negev region, triggering massive fires and explosions. Tel Aviv faced heavy missile strikes that destroyed multiple buildings, damaged vehicles, and led to the evacuation of Ben Gurion Airport.

The Pentagon plans to send a combat unit of roughly 3,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. Oil markets, Gulf security, and maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz have been disrupted by the escalating conflict.