US broadcaster CNN has published an analysis on how many times President Donald Trump has declared that Tehran is close to reaching a deal with Washington over the past two months.

“Including the period before the ceasefire, he’s done it at least 38 times. That’s the number of times he’s said directly — in social media posts, public appearances and phone calls with the media — that a deal was nigh or claimed Iran was desperate to cut one,” CNN reports.

“There’s no indication that’s any more true today than it was back on April 7. But Trump keeps saying it, either because he’s delusional, trying to calm the financial markets or thinking he can will it into existence.”

CNN notes that this is “not a claim people should take seriously anymore”.

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