Reuters. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (August 4) that Iran had reached out requesting talks, but warned that the country would face severe consequences and "get hit very hard" if negotiations failed.
Trump made the comments in an interview on the Fox News @ Night show.
Qatar said on Tuesday that mediators were making progress in efforts to end the U.S.-Iran war, driving oil prices lower, although Tehran has denied Trump's assertion that talks are already under way.
The U.S. president's comments on Tuesday followed his weekend decision to cancel plans for what he described as "massive attacks" on Iran, extending a pattern in which he has threatened major military action before pulling back and pointing to diplomatic contacts.
