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US President Donald Trump’s dramatic description of “very strong talks” with Iran suggested the door to diplomacy has been flung open for what he said could be “a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East”.

But Iran almost immediately denied that talks had begun - and so far, there are only signs of small windows being opened - by a crack. One is the same window that was shattered during previous rounds of diplomacy, in February and in June last year, by US-backed Israeli attacks on Iran which destroyed the little trust that existed.

There’s said to be some communication between lead negotiators in previous discussions - Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff. But these conversations are described as very preliminary. And Tehran now sees the Witkoff track as subterfuge. “The statements of the US president are part of efforts to reduce energy prices and buy time for the implementation of his military plans,” was the retort of Iran’s foreign ministry, says an analyst.

Trump now says they’re dealing with a “top person” in Iran. The unnamed individual being widely cited is Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf. He failed four times in presidential runs and described Iranians who took to the streets nationwide in February calling for change as “enemies and terrorists.”

But in Trump’s world, Ghalibaf is a strongman who could possibly bridge the divides between Iran’s security and political establishments, reports BBC. “He’s the last man standing who’s seen as more ideologically flexible,” said one source with knowledge of the various mediation efforts. “But even Trump said if he named him, they’d kill him, and then Israel immediately named him.” This time, new countries are engaging in this age-old crisis including Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey which have not been on the front lines of the war itself.

Trump likely believes this war has granted him additional leverage to get Iran to accept his conditions, and Iran senses it has not only fortified its position but has additional bargaining chips in the Strait of Hormuz,” remarked Mohammad Ali Shabani, editor of Amwaj.media. In his post announcing the talks, Trump said he was postponing his threat to strike Iran’s power plants for five days - meaning all eyes are on his new deadline - Friday, when the markets close.