A U.S. Marine stands guard after Marine One, carrying President Donald Trump, lands on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, D.C., July 27, 2026. (Credit: Aaron Schwartz/AFP)
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday there was "a good chance" diplomacy with Iran could end the monthslong war but warned Washington would resume military strikes if talks fail.
"I have a lot of patience ... We'll see what happens. I think there is a good chance that something could happen," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "If it doesn't, we go back to doing what we were doing two days ago."
Iran and the United States have held their fire for three consecutive days after 13 nights of renewed U.S. attacks, creating a narrow opening for diplomacy following the collapse of an earlier cease-fire aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said Iranian leaders had requested a meeting because "we've been hitting them very hard." Tehran, however, denied direct negotiations were underway, saying intermediaries were relaying messages from Washington.
The pause in fighting has eased pressure on global markets, though tensions remain high. Saudi Arabia said Monday it intercepted drones launched by Iran-linked groups in Iraq, while Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis claimed attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure.
Trump also dismissed concerns that five months of war had depleted U.S. ammunition stocks.
"We have a lot of ammunition," he said, adding he would prefer larger reserves but complained that "so much was given to Ukraine" in its war with Russia.
Asked whether Saudi Arabia was considering joining the Abraham Accords, Trump said, "We haven't talked, no."
Trump also suggested money seized from Venezuela could be directed to the U.S. military and said Washington could similarly extract funds from Iran.
"We are taking in a lot of money. Billions and billions of dollars," he said. "That will happen with Iran too."
