Trump Threatens Iran With Large-Scale Attack as Negotiations Reported

Donald Trump said on 28 February that negotiations with Iran were underway, describing them as Iran’s "last chance" before a potential military strike. The statement came during a signing ceremony at the White House for an executive order supporting military families. Trump suggested the talks could conclude quickly but did not specify the terms being discussed.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, denied that negotiations with the US were taking place. Instead, Baghaei said Iran was discussing passage through the Hormuz Strait with Oman. The conflicting statements followed an announcement by Trump that he had threatened a large-scale attack on Iran over the weekend but later cancelled it.

Trump claimed the planned attack would have been the largest since World War II. He also said the US and Israel had begun a war in Iran on 28 February, with Iran responding by targeting US bases in the region. Despite reported ceasefires, no final agreement to end the conflict has been reached.

Disagreements over negotiations

Kristeligt Dagblad reported that Trump said negotiations with Iran were happening "right now". He framed them as a final opportunity for Iran to reach a deal, using the phrase "last chance before beheading". The same report stated that Iran’s foreign ministry denied any talks with the US, as reported by Kristeligt Dagblad.

Coverage by outlet

Kristeligt Dagblad led its report with Trump’s threat of a large-scale attack and his description of it as the largest since World War II. The article included Trump’s claim that negotiations were underway, Iran’s denial, and the confirmation of talks with Oman. It also noted the 28 February start of military action by the US and Israel in Iran, and the lack of a final agreement despite ceasefire attempts.

What the coverage left out

The report in Kristeligt Dagblad did not specify the terms or objectives of the negotiations Trump referenced. It also did not detail the scale or targets of the military action the US and Israel began in Iran on 28 February, beyond noting that Iran retaliated against US bases.