US President Donald Trump has said that talks aimed at ending the war with Iran are taking place during a lull in strikes, expressing optimism that a breakthrough could be near. According to the BBC, Trump said “there is a good chance that something could happen.”

However, Iran has denied that direct talks are under way, the BBC reported. The conflicting accounts leave the status of any negotiations unclear as the two sides offer differing characterisations of the diplomatic situation.

Trump has touted what he described as “friendly talks,” according to Al Jazeera. The president’s upbeat framing contrasts with statements from Tehran about the state of efforts to resolve the conflict.

Iran has said that the United States is “struggling” to end the war, which Al Jazeera describes as five months old. The remark suggests continued distance between the parties despite the reported pause in strikes.

Al Jazeera also reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in Washington, DC, for talks with Trump. The visit places a key US ally at the centre of the discussions over the ongoing conflict.

The differing statements from Washington and Tehran underscore the uncertainty surrounding the diplomatic track, with Trump signalling potential progress even as Iran pushes back on the notion that direct negotiations are occurring.