President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.
Delegations from the U.S. and Iran entered negotiations in June aimed at a war-ending deal based on a memorandum of understanding signed by both countries.
The U.S. and Iran have nonetheless continued to exchange strikes, with the strategic Strait of Hormuz the primary flashpoint.
President Donald Trump stressed during remarks in Las Vegas on Wednesday that the U.S. and Iran "are talking" and emphasized his desire to continue diplomatic relations while also repeating threats of deadly escalation.
"I'd rather make a deal because I don't want to kill people. I do not want to kill people," he said, going on to say, "We were all set for the biggest attack since World War II. And they called me and they said, 'Please don't do it, let's talk.'"
"But we are talking. Let's see what happens. But they respect us," he continued.
Trump again promised that as soon as the war ends, prices would come down on oil and gas -- before moments later saying "we may have to send it up again," seeming to allude to potential renewed military action against Iran.
-ABC News' Nicholas Kerr, Emily Chang and Michelle Stoddart
Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter asked the Americans to stop the talks between Israel and Lebanon in Rome three hours early because the ambassador was frustrated over repeated inaccurate leaks from the Lebanese delegation, two sources familiar with the talks told ABC News.
Talks between Israel and Lebanon ended early on Wednesday due to events on the ground, but will reconvene Thursday morning, according to a State Department official.
Discussions focused on a range of political and military issues and were extremely productive, the official said. The technical teams made progress on determining key details on implementation of the Trilateral Framework.
A joint statement to be released by Iran and Oman regarding the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is in the final drafting stage, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Wednesday.
Oman and Iran have been in talks aimed at establishing a safe passage route for commercial shipping in the strait for two months.
The geographical coordinates of the proposed route have been agreed upon, and if certain third parties do not obstruct this process, the joint statement between the two countries, including key considerations and points of agreement, is in the final stages of review and drafting, Baqaei said.
