President Donald Trump delivered a stunning revelation Monday, claiming that Iran is actively participating in negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas.

“Gaza right now is in the midst of a massive negotiation between us and Hamas and Israel, and Iran actually is involved, and we’ll see what’s going to happen with Gaza. We want to get the hostages back,” Trump told reporters during an event in the White House State Dining Room.

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Trump offered no elaboration on the nature or extent of Iran’s involvement. However, sources tell Axios that their has been some progress in efforts to persuade Hamas to soften its stance on the American-proposed ceasefire framework, thanks partly to increased pressure from Qatari mediators.

The current U.S. proposal calls for a 60-day ceasefire during which 28 Israeli hostages—both living and deceased—would be released in the first week in exchange for thousands of dangerous Arab terrorists held in Israeli jails.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special Middle East envoy, continues pushing for a Hamas response to the proposed framework. Sources describe Witkoff as viewing this mission as deeply personal, with one person familiar with the negotiations saying, “This is the mission of his life,” and that he considers failure “not an option.” He previously played a key role in securing the release of Israeli American soldier Edan Alexander from Gaza captivity. While Israel has indicated it would abide Witkoff’s terms, Hamas has thus far rejected the plan.

Trump’s revelation comes  on the heels of an intensive strategy session at Camp David, where the president and his entire top foreign policy team spent hours Sunday deliberating on both the Iran nuclear crisis and the Gaza war.

The Camp David retreat included Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, among other senior officials.

“The retreat allowed all the senior people in the administration to sit together for a long time and discuss these issues,” a U.S. official told sources. Trump confirmed Monday that “generals and admirals” also attended but declined to elaborate on the discussions.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials are expected to formally reject the U.S. nuclear deal proposal within the next 24 hours. Trump characterized the Iranians as “good negotiators” but added they “sometimes can be too tough,” telling reporters: “We’re trying to make a deal so that there’s no destruction and death. I hope that’s the way it works out, but it might not work out that way. We’ll soon find out.”

After a Monday phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump expressed frustration with Iran’s position, particularly on uranium enrichment. “So far, they’re not there. I hate to say that, because the alternative is a very, very dire one,” he said, describing Iran’s demands as “just not acceptable.”

The White House maintains that Trump’s original deadline for a nuclear deal expires Thursday, though both sides appear willing to continue talks. Iran’s Foreign Ministry has announced a sixth round of negotiations for Sunday in Muscat, Oman, with Oslo also under consideration for Friday.

    maxine collins June 10, 2025 12:12 pm

    What about what Trump said before he became President he would have the hostages all put on a week nothing had happened only talks and talks

    RM June 10, 2025 1:17 pm

    Somebody needs to tell Trump about the MAHDI

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