WASHINGTON, April 22 -- With his sensational statements on Truth Social and serial phone chats with individual journalists, President Donald Trump has only added to the confusion surrounding his plans for Iran in recent days.

The US president has been commenting on the conflict almost in real time in seemingly off-the-cuff exchanges with reporters, including from AFP, who call his cell phone.

Twice in recent days the White House has had to correct statements the 79-year-old billionaire made in the calls.

On Sunday, Trump told broadcaster ABC that Vice President JD Vance would not be leading the US delegation for a second round of talks with Iran in Pakistan, a statement quickly pulled back by official sources.

On Monday, Trump told th...