Trump shifts from threatening to 'obliterate' Iran to claiming secret negotiations underway

President Trump abruptly reversed course on Iran policy within 48 hours. On March 23, he threatened to 'obliterate' Iranian power plants if his ultimatum wasn't met. By March 25, as the deadline expired, he announced secret diplomatic talks were yielding 'great progress.' Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani denied any negotiations were occurring, calling the claims 'fabricated.' The Guardian reported that $580 million in energy sector trades occurred in the 15 minutes before Trump's announcement, prompting SEC insider trading inquiries. Trump told White House aides he wanted the war ended within weeks while simultaneously threatening to 'unleash hell' if Iran didn't negotiate, creating contradictory messaging that left the war's actual diplomatic status and strategic goals unclear.

"Negotiations to end the Iran war are happening right now and Tehran is talking sense" — Statement made during White House press availability on March 25, 2026, contradicting Iranian government denials and his own threats from 48 hours earlier