Trump says ‘very good talks’ ongoing with Iran

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States is engaged in “very good conversations” with Iran, signaling potential progress in diplomacy despite recent military tensions in the Gulf region.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump described the talks as constructive but reiterated Washington’s firm stance against Tehran. “We have very good conversations going on. It's working out very well,” Trump said. “They got a little cute, as they have been doing for 47 years. Nobody ever took them on. We took them on.” He added: “They have no navy, they have no air force, they have no leaders. They have no nothing. Actually … it is regime change. You call that enforced regime change, but we're talking to them.”

Pakistan’s mediation role and the ceasefire

Hostilities escalated since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28, with Tehran retaliating with repeated drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. The war has been on hold since April 8, when Pakistan mediated a two-week ceasefire. Washington and Tehran held talks in Pakistan last weekend, and efforts for another session in Islamabad are underway. Trump said regarding the ongoing talks: “We'll have some information by the end of the day.” After finishing his speech, Trump did not take any questions regarding the conflict with Iran, negotiations, or the situation on the Strait of Hormuz.

Executive order on psychedelic drugs

Trump also signed an executive order that he said “directs the FDA to expedite their review of certain psychedelics already designated as breakthrough therapy drugs.” The order will, according to Trump, “clear away unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, improve data sharing among the FDA and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and facilitate fast rescheduling of any psychedelic drugs that become FDA approved.”