President Trump told CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O’Keefe that Iran “gave us a present” and that the present arrived the day after a signal from Tehran. He said he does not trust Iran — “Do you think I trust them? I don’t trust them” — but suggested the gesture signaled possible progress and that negotiations were underway involving senior U.S. figures. Trump indicated White House officials including Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and others such as Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff are engaged in talks and that he, too, may become directly involved.
O’Keefe reported the president described the present as “a very big present, worth a tremendous amount of money,” and that it may be related to oil, gas or activity in the Strait of Hormuz, though specifics were unclear. Iran denied formal talks were underway, saying it had received a message through mediators but not confirming negotiations. Several regional countries, including Pakistan, have offered to mediate; Pakistan publicly said it could host talks, and Trump reposted that offer.
Former CIA Deputy Assistant Director for Counterterrorism Joe Zacks told CBS News the U.S. initiative appears sincere and that Iran is likely interested in exploring negotiations, though Tehran may not publicly acknowledge that. He cautioned that Iranians are tough negotiators and talks could take time. Zacks advised maintaining pressure and continuing military operations selectively while avoiding strikes on Iranian infrastructure, which could destabilize Gulf partners. He suggested the president could extend any pause on strikes if the Iranians seem to negotiate in good faith.
On who the U.S. might be talking to, analysts noted Tehran’s leadership has been disrupted and the interlocutor could be from the hardline faction — possibly the speaker of Iran’s parliament — someone with credibility to negotiate on behalf of senior officials. U.S. and regional diplomacy continues amid uncertainty about the nature of the “present” and whether it represents a genuine opening toward formal talks.