On Thursday, Trump posted on Truth Social that he was extending the deadline to bomb Iranian power plants by 10 days — to April 6 — because, he claimed, the talks are going great. Iran responded by saying there are no talks.
Both of these things cannot be true. Only one of them is.
"Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well."
"We have no intention of negotiating." — Iran's foreign ministry, flatly contradicting every word Trump said.
The Actual Situation on Day 27.
The U.S. and Israel launched "major combat operations" against Iran on February 28. Ayatollah Khamenei was killed on day one. Iran has been firing missiles at Israel, at U.S. bases across the region, and at Gulf nations. The Strait of Hormuz — through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil and gas flows — remains effectively shut. Gas prices are up. Oil prices are spiking. NATO allies have refused to send warships to help, and Trump is furious about it.
Trump threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if the Strait wasn't reopened. Then he extended the deadline. Then Iran said they're not negotiating. Then he called this "going very well."
The UN Says Bombing Power Plants May Be a War Crime.
This part is important and barely getting coverage: international human rights experts and UN officials have stated that Trump's threats to strike Iranian power plants constitute an open threat to possibly commit a war crime. Civilian infrastructure — including power plants — is protected under international humanitarian law.
Trump isn't just lying about how the diplomacy is going. He's threatening acts that international law experts say could constitute war crimes, while claiming the whole thing is basically resolved.
NATO Said No. Trump Is Mad.
Trump asked allied nations to send warships to protect tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz. Other countries were unwilling to participate. Trump has since slammed NATO for refusing assistance — apparently forgetting that starting a war without consulting your allies first tends to make them less enthusiastic about joining it mid-way through.
This post distinguishes between documented facts, allegations, and analysis. Where motive, intent, corruption, or illegality remains disputed in the public record, the text attributes that judgment to court findings, official records, direct quotes, or the reporting linked below.
- NPR: Trump extended deadline to April 6, claimed talks going well. UN officials say power plant strike threats may constitute war crime threat.
- Democracy Now!: Iran's foreign ministry — "We have no intention of negotiating."
- ABC News: Trump slammed NATO for refusing to assist with Strait of Hormuz.