U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on July 8 (local time) that "Iran called us a little while ago" and that "they desperately want a deal," following two consecutive days of military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

President Trump made the remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington after attending the NATO summit, adding, "I don't know if it's worth negotiating with Iran."

He added, "I'm not sure if they would even follow through on a deal."

When asked why he thought Iran would attack merchant ships if they wanted to negotiate, President Trump harshly criticized the move, calling it "insane."

It has not yet been confirmed whether the Iranian side actually contacted the U.S. to maintain negotiations as President Trump claimed.

Germany's DPA news agency noted, "President Trump has repeatedly mentioned conversations or phone calls that the other side later denied in whole or in part."

The U.S. launched airstrikes targeting key facilities along Iran's southern coast for two days starting yesterday, alleging that Iran attacked merchant ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

In response, Iran continued retaliatory attacks targeting major U.S. military facilities in Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)