Watch Sen. Chris Van Hollen React After CNN Asks If He Trusts Iranian Officials Over Trump

CNN host Kasie Hunt asked Democratic Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen Monday whether he believes Iranian officials over President Donald Trump.

Trump said talks had started between the United States and Iran. Iran, however, denied any such negotiations have taken place. During a discussion on “The Arena,” Hunt asked Van Hollen whether he trusts Iranian officials over the president.

“So you believe the Iranian officials over the president of the United States?” Hunt asked.

“I believe that based on all the information that‘s available and Donald Trump‘s track record of lying, including the big lie, which he told the American people during the campaign, that he was going to keep us out of war in the Middle East. He broke that promise. He lied about Iran being an imminent threat. The United States and Israel launched this strike,” Van Hollen said. “He lied about Iran being on the precipice of getting a nuclear weapon. We know that because Tulsi Gabbard just testified just the opposite recently. And yes, we know he‘s lying when he says that the Iranians are talking with us and they‘re about to give Donald Trump everything he wants. Yes, that’s a lie.”

Independent analysis shows Trump and his senior officials repeatedly said Tehran’s expanding missile and conventional military capabilities posed genuine security risks to U.S. troops and allies. The White House and intelligence leaders maintain that Iran’s nuclear and missile ambitions represented a serious long‑term threat.

WATCH: 

On Saturday, Trump set a 48-hour deadline for Iran to guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the U.S. would target the country’s energy facilities if the deadline passed. He said he would strike Iran’s power plants, beginning with the largest, unless the strait was fully opened without any threats. (RELATED: Trump Halts All Strikes On Iran Power Plants Amid Negotiations)

Trump on Monday outlined clear conditions for Iran to meet in order to halt Operation Epic Fury, emphasizing restrictions on nuclear weapons and missiles. He told reporters he expects peace in the Middle East and aims to secure Iran’s nuclear materials.

“We’re looking for all of the things that we’ve been talking about,” Trump told reporters. “We want to see no nuclear bomb, no nuclear weapon, not even close to it, low-key on the missiles. We want to see peace in the Middle East. We want the nuclear dust, we’re going to want that, and I think we’re going to get that.”

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