Iran-Israel war LIVE: Trump says Iran 'wants to make a deal', but Islamic Republic denies any talks

U.S.-Israeli war on Iran LIVE: Iran faces deadline of US President Donald Trump warning to open Strait of Hormuz. Follow The Hindu for more LIVE updates on March 23 2026 on Iran-Israel war.

U.S. President Donald Trump extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (March 23, 2026), saying the U.S. will hold off striking Iranian power plants for five more days. Mr. Trump said U.S. envoys have been holding talks with a “respected” Iranian leader, and Iran wants “to make a deal.” Iranian officials denied any such negotiations, and declared that the American leader had backed down “following Iran’s firm warning”.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday (March 23, 2026) that he spoke with Mr. Trump, saying that the U.S. President believed U.S.-Israeli military gains in Iran could be converted into a negotiated agreement that protects Israel’s interests. 

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei indicated that messages had been received from “some friendly countries indicating a U.S. request for negotiations aimed at ending the war,” according to the official IRNA news agency.

Also Read | Iran-Israel war highlights on March 22, 2026

On a day of whiplash announcements, Iran’s neighbors breathed a sigh of relief after Mr. Trump stepped back from the brink over his threat to target Iranian power infrastructure.Tehran had threatened to deploy naval mines in the Gulf and target power plants and water infrastructure across the region in retaliation -- threatening to ramp up an energy crisis of already historic proportions.

Also read: South Pars | Same field, two fates